CVE-2022-1160 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 03/30/2022
heap buffer overflow in get_one_sourceline in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.4647.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2026
The heap buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1160 resides within the vim text editor's source code handling mechanism, specifically in the get_one_sourceline function. This flaw manifests in versions of vim prior to 8.2.4647, representing a critical security weakness that can be exploited through maliciously crafted input during source line processing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking when handling heap-allocated memory regions, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the get_one_sourceline function processes input data without adequate validation of buffer boundaries. This function is responsible for reading source lines from files or input streams, and when encountering certain malformed or specially crafted input sequences, it fails to properly validate the length of data being copied into heap-allocated buffers. The flaw directly corresponds to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, potentially corrupting program state or enabling code execution.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who process untrusted source code or configuration files through vim. Attackers could craft malicious input files that trigger the buffer overflow when vim attempts to read and process these files, particularly in scenarios involving automated code analysis or batch processing of source files. The impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it can potentially be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks, especially when vim is used with elevated privileges or in automated systems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of input data to trigger the specific memory access pattern that leads to the overflow condition, making it a sophisticated target for advanced persistent threats.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1160 primarily involve upgrading to vim version 8.2.4647 or later, which includes the necessary patches to address the heap buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize this update across all systems where vim is installed and used for processing potentially malicious input. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls, restricting vim usage in automated environments, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for scripting languages highlights the need for comprehensive security controls around script execution environments where vim might be used to process untrusted code. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include verification of vim versions to ensure proper patch management and reduce the attack surface for this and similar heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities.