CVE-2022-2862 in vim
Summary
by MITRE • 08/18/2022
Use After Free in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.0220.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2862 represents a critical use-after-free condition affecting the popular vim text editor repository. This flaw exists in versions prior to 9.0.0220 and demonstrates a fundamental memory management error that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes within the vim editor's codebase, creating a scenario where freed memory regions may still be accessed by subsequent operations.
The technical implementation of this use-after-free vulnerability occurs when vim processes certain input data structures that trigger memory deallocation followed by subsequent access to the same memory addresses. This condition creates a predictable pattern where attackers can manipulate the editor's behavior to execute malicious code through controlled input sequences. The flaw typically manifests during text processing operations involving complex data structures or when handling malformed input files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where vim processes untrusted content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to users who regularly process external files or collaborate on shared documents. The exploitability of this flaw means that an attacker could craft specific input files that when opened in vim would trigger the use-after-free condition, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses use-after-free errors in memory management, and could be leveraged through techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for execution and T1203 for input validation bypass.
The impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through file processing, making it particularly concerning for web applications or services that utilize vim for text processing. Organizations using vim in automated environments or those processing untrusted input files face elevated risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate editor operations without requiring special privileges. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader application security posture, particularly in environments where vim serves as a core component of text processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching to version 9.0.0220 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Additionally, administrators should implement input validation controls and consider sandboxing vim operations when processing untrusted content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of regular security updates and proper memory management practices in open source software development, with implications for both developers and security professionals who must maintain vigilance against similar flaws in other text processing applications.