CVE-2022-1619 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 05/08/2022
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in function cmdline_erase_chars in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.4899. This vulnerabilities are capable of crashing software, modify memory, and possible remote execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/07/2026
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1619 exists within the vim text editor's cmdline_erase_chars function in versions prior to 8.2.4899. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited to cause arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes command line arguments and attempts to manipulate character sequences, leading to improper memory handling that results in buffer overflow conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the cmdline_erase_chars function. When vim processes certain command line inputs, particularly those involving character manipulation operations, the application fails to properly validate input lengths against allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption occurs in the heap memory region rather than stack memory, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit. The flaw allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent heap chunks and enabling sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple software crashes to include potential remote code execution capabilities. An attacker could craft malicious command line inputs that trigger the buffer overflow condition, leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the vim process. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where vim is used with elevated privileges or in automated systems. The heap corruption can result in unpredictable behavior including application crashes, data corruption, and in severe cases complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects all versions prior to 8.2.4899, making it a widespread concern across numerous installations.
This vulnerability maps to CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader weakness of improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer. The attack surface is primarily through command line interface manipulation where user input is processed without adequate validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through T1059.001 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it enables code execution that can be used to escalate privileges or maintain persistent access. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where vim is used interactively or in scripts that process untrusted input.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching to version 8.2.4899 or later, which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and input validation. Organizations should also implement input sanitization measures for command line processing and consider restricting vim usage in privileged contexts. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through intrusion detection systems and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of potential exploitation. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and memory allocation validation within the cmdline_erase_chars function to prevent heap corruption scenarios.