CVE-2022-2304 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 07/05/2022
Stack-based Buffer Overflow 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-2022-2304 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in the popular text editor vim version 8.2.4999 and earlier. This vulnerability exists within the vim repository maintained by GitHub and affects versions prior to 9.0. The flaw manifests when processing certain input data structures that exceed allocated stack buffer boundaries, creating potential for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability was classified under CWE-121 which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checks allow data to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the processing of specific text patterns or commands within vim's parsing engine. When the editor encounters malformed input that triggers the buffer overflow condition, it writes data beyond the intended stack buffer limits, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack variables. This overflow can be exploited by an attacker who crafts malicious input that causes the application to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior including program crashes, data corruption, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because vim is widely used across various operating systems and environments, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors and system environments where vim is installed. An attacker could exploit this through crafted input files, command-line arguments, or even through web-based interfaces that utilize vim for text processing. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is heightened by the fact that vim is often used in server environments, development workstations, and automated systems where it may process untrusted input from multiple sources. Successful exploitation could result in privilege escalation, remote code execution, or denial of service conditions that affect system availability. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation could involve executing malicious commands through the vulnerable text processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2304 primarily focus on immediate version updates to vim 9.0 or later releases where the buffer overflow has been patched. System administrators should prioritize updating all vim installations across their infrastructure, particularly in server environments where the risk of exploitation is highest. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls, restricting vim execution permissions in sensitive environments, and monitoring for unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable versions while ensuring proper patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from arising in the future. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing robust security practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent such critical flaws from being exploited in production environments.