CVE-2022-1927 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 05/29/2022
Buffer Over-read in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-1927 represents a buffer over-read condition within the vim text editor repository prior to version 8.2. This flaw manifests in the handling of specific input sequences that cause the software to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking in the processing logic that manages character data during text manipulation operations. Such over-read conditions can potentially expose sensitive information stored in adjacent memory locations, creating risks for data confidentiality and system integrity. The vulnerability affects the widely used vim editor which is prevalent across numerous operating systems and development environments, making its impact substantial across various security domains.
Technical exploitation of this buffer over-read vulnerability occurs when the vim application processes malformed input data through its internal parsing mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests during operations involving character buffer management where the software fails to properly validate input lengths before performing memory access operations. This condition allows an attacker to potentially trigger memory access violations or extract unintended data from adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires specific input conditions to be triggered, typically involving crafted text sequences that cause the editor to exceed normal buffer limits during processing. The lack of proper input sanitization creates an environment where arbitrary memory contents could be accessed and potentially leaked.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-1927 extends beyond simple memory access violations to encompass potential information disclosure risks within systems utilizing vulnerable vim versions. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability to extract sensitive data such as encryption keys, passwords, or other confidential information stored in memory adjacent to the affected buffer. The vulnerability's presence in a widely deployed text editor means that numerous systems across different environments could be at risk, including development workstations, server environments, and embedded systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective as it could be leveraged in various attack scenarios including privilege escalation, information gathering, or as part of more complex exploitation chains. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command-line interfaces where vim is used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-1927 primarily focus on updating to version 8.2 or later of the vim editor where the buffer over-read issue has been addressed through proper bounds checking implementations. System administrators should prioritize patching vulnerable installations across all environments where vim is deployed, particularly in development and production systems handling sensitive data. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider restricting vim usage in high-security environments where the risk of exploitation is elevated, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in text processing applications. The fix implemented in version 8.2 specifically addresses the buffer management logic to ensure proper bounds checking before memory access operations occur, preventing the over-read condition that previously allowed unauthorized memory access.