CVE-2022-1629 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 05/10/2022
Buffer Over-read in function find_next_quote in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.4925. This vulnerabilities are capable of crashing software, Modify Memory, and possible remote execution
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1629 represents a critical buffer over-read condition within the vim text editor's find_next_quote function in versions prior to 8.2.4925. This flaw exists within the core parsing logic that handles quote characters during text processing operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal editing activities. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates how seemingly benign text processing functions can become attack vectors when proper input validation is absent. The issue manifests when vim processes text containing specific sequences of quote characters, causing the application to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the find_next_quote function which is responsible for identifying and processing quote characters in vim's scripting and text parsing contexts. When processing certain input patterns, the function fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory access operations, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that triggers the over-read condition. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for command and scripting interpreter, as the vulnerability can be exploited through crafted input that leverages vim's scripting capabilities. The memory corruption resulting from this over-read can manifest as application crashes, data corruption, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and access patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1629 extends beyond simple application instability, as the vulnerability creates potential pathways for remote code execution when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors. The crash conditions can be reliably triggered through normal text editing operations, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where vim is used extensively or in automated processing workflows. Attackers can potentially exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted text files or input streams that, when opened or processed by vim, will trigger the buffer over-read condition. The memory modification capabilities inherent in this vulnerability mean that successful exploitation could lead to arbitrary code execution, particularly in scenarios where vim is used in server environments or automated processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1629 primarily focus on immediate patching of affected vim installations to version 8.2.4925 or later, which contains the necessary bounds checking fixes. System administrators should prioritize updating all vim installations across their infrastructure, particularly in environments where vim is used for automated processing or in server contexts where remote access is possible. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation at the application level, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious vim process behavior, and establishing secure configuration practices for text processing environments. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while conducting thorough vulnerability assessments to identify any other potentially affected software components that might be using similar parsing logic. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the root cause by adding proper bounds checking and memory validation before any buffer access operations occur.