CVE-2022-2289 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 07/03/2022
Use After Free in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2289 represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting the popular vim text editor repository. This flaw exists in versions prior to 9.0 and manifests as a memory safety issue that can lead to arbitrary code execution when processing malformed input. The vulnerability occurs within the editor's handling of specific buffer operations where freed memory regions are accessed after being deallocated, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors. The issue stems from improper memory management practices where the software fails to properly invalidate pointers following memory deallocation, allowing subsequent operations to reference already freed memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves scenarios where vim processes input that triggers specific code paths within its buffer management subsystem. When the editor encounters malformed data structures or unexpected input sequences, it may execute code that leads to memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory regions. This pattern creates a classic use-after-free scenario where attackers can manipulate the freed memory to inject malicious code or cause denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because vim is widely deployed across various operating systems and development environments, making it a prime target for exploitation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to system security and integrity. Attackers could leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running vim, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that vim is commonly used for editing configuration files, source code, and other sensitive data, meaning that an attacker could gain access to critical system information or establish persistent access. The vulnerability affects both local and remote attack scenarios, as it can be triggered through various input mechanisms including file processing, network-based editing operations, or automated scripts that interact with vim.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation through updating to vim version 9.0 or later, which includes patches addressing the memory management issues. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free conditions in software systems. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of vim are updated promptly. Additionally, implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code through compromised vim processes. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement access controls to limit potential exploitation vectors, particularly in environments where vim is used for sensitive data processing or system administration tasks.