CVE-2022-2849 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 08/17/2022
Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.0219.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2026
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2849 affects the popular text editor vim version prior to 9.0.0219. This vulnerability exists within the vim repository hosted on GitHub and represents a critical security flaw that could enable arbitrary code execution when processing malformed input. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during buffer handling operations, specifically when the application processes certain input sequences that trigger heap memory allocation patterns leading to buffer overflows.
The technical flaw manifests in the heap memory allocation routines where vim fails to properly validate input boundaries before copying data into heap-allocated buffers. When malicious input is processed through vim's parsing mechanisms, particularly during file handling or command execution contexts, the application allocates heap memory without adequate bounds checking. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, potentially leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of heap-allocated buffers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant across multiple threat scenarios. An attacker could leverage this flaw by crafting malicious input files or commands that, when opened or processed by vulnerable vim versions, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This could result in remote code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service conditions depending on the execution context. The vulnerability affects both local and remote exploitation scenarios since vim is commonly used in server environments, development workflows, and automated systems where users might encounter malicious content. The attack surface is broad given vim's widespread deployment across Unix-like systems, Windows, and various Linux distributions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2849 include immediate patching to version 9.0.0219 or later which contains the necessary memory boundary checks and heap management improvements. System administrators should prioritize updating vim installations across all affected systems, particularly those running in server or development environments where the application processes untrusted input. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls, using sandboxing techniques, and employing privilege separation mechanisms to limit the potential impact of exploitation. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious vim usage patterns and implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.006 for command and script injection, as exploitation typically involves crafting malicious input that triggers the vulnerable code path. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated vim versions that may be susceptible to similar heap-based buffer overflow conditions.