CVE-2022-2183 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 06/23/2022
Out-of-bounds Read in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 8.2.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2183 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw discovered in the popular vim text editor repository prior to version 8.2. This issue manifests within the vim codebase where improper bounds checking allows attackers to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of certain input sequences during text processing operations, creating potential pathways for malicious code execution or information disclosure. Such out-of-bounds read conditions typically occur when software fails to validate input lengths or buffer sizes before processing user-provided data. The flaw exists in the core text processing functionality of vim, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal editing operations. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input sequences that cause the editor to read memory beyond intended boundaries, potentially leading to system compromise or data leakage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within vim's text parsing routines. When processing certain character sequences or file formats, the software does not properly verify array indices or buffer limits before accessing memory locations. This allows for unauthorized memory access patterns that can reveal sensitive information from adjacent memory regions or cause application crashes. The flaw operates at the memory management level where buffer overflow conditions are not properly handled, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate program execution flow. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which is categorized under the broader weakness of improper input validation. The vulnerability affects the program's ability to maintain memory integrity during text processing operations, particularly when handling complex or malformed input data streams.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-2183 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can enable more sophisticated attack vectors. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability may gain access to sensitive data stored in adjacent memory locations, potentially including authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other confidential information. The vulnerability's exploitation can lead to privilege escalation in environments where vim is used with elevated permissions. Additionally, the flaw can be leveraged in combination with other techniques to achieve remote code execution, particularly when vim is used in server environments or automated processing pipelines. The widespread adoption of vim across various operating systems and platforms increases the potential attack surface, as this vulnerability affects multiple deployment scenarios including development environments, server administration tools, and embedded systems where vim is the default text editor. The vulnerability can be triggered through normal file operations, making it particularly insidious as users may unknowingly expose themselves to exploitation when opening seemingly benign files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2183 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management protocols. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to vim version 8.2 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper bounds checking implementations. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of vim across the infrastructure are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing input sanitization at the system level, monitoring for unusual memory access patterns, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) suggests that exploitation may involve command injection scenarios, making network segmentation and access control policies crucial defensive measures. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify unpatched systems running vulnerable versions of vim. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of vim installations to ensure proper patch levels are maintained across all system environments. The remediation process should also involve educating users about the risks of opening untrusted files and implementing secure coding practices for text processing applications.