CVE-2022-1771 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 05/19/2022
Uncontrolled Recursion in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.4975.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1771 represents a critical uncontrolled recursion issue within the vim text editor repository prior to version 8.2.4975. This flaw exists in the recursive function handling mechanisms that process certain input patterns, creating a potential pathway for denial of service attacks and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests when vim processes specific input sequences that trigger recursive function calls without proper termination conditions, leading to stack exhaustion and system instability. The issue impacts users who rely on vim for text editing operations, particularly in environments where untrusted input is processed through the editor.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and recursion depth validation within vim's function processing engine. When the editor encounters malformed input that triggers recursive function calls, the system fails to implement proper recursion limits or stack depth monitoring. This allows an attacker to craft input sequences that cause the editor to enter infinite recursion loops, consuming system resources and potentially crashing the application. The flaw operates at the core level of vim's interpreter, making it particularly dangerous as it affects fundamental text processing capabilities. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-674, which addresses "Uncontrolled Recursion" in software systems, highlighting the lack of proper recursion depth controls in the implementation.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1771 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential privilege escalation and system compromise. In environments where vim is used for processing untrusted input, such as web applications or automated systems, attackers can exploit this vulnerability to consume excessive system resources or potentially execute malicious code. The vulnerability affects both local and remote attack vectors, as it can be triggered through various input sources including configuration files, command line arguments, or network-based text processing. The flaw particularly impacts systems where vim is integrated into larger software ecosystems, as it can serve as a vector for broader system compromise. Security frameworks like ATT&CK taxonomy classify this vulnerability under T1499.004, which addresses "Cloud Compute Infrastructure Compromise" through resource exhaustion attacks, and T1203, covering "Exploitation for Client Execution" when the vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1771 primarily focus on updating to vim version 8.2.4975 or later, which includes proper recursion depth controls and enhanced input validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement immediate patch management protocols to address this vulnerability across all affected systems. Additional defensive measures include restricting vim usage in environments handling untrusted input, implementing input sanitization processes, and monitoring system resource consumption for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that limit vim execution to trusted environments and establish network segmentation to contain potential exploitation impacts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper recursion handling in text processing applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for input validation and resource management in software development practices.