VDB-388184 · CVE-2026-73071 · GCVE-0-2026-73071

Vim up to 9.2.0843 JSON Decoder src/json.c json_decode_item use after free

CVSS Meta Temp Score CVSS is a standardized scoring system to determine possibilities of attacks. The Temp Score considers temporal factors like disclosure, exploit and countermeasures. The unique Meta Score calculates the average score of different sources to provide a normalized scoring system.	Current Exploit Price (≈) Our analysts are monitoring exploit markets and are in contact with vulnerability brokers. The range indicates the observed or calculated exploit price to be seen on exploit markets. A good indicator to understand the monetary effort required for and the popularity of an attack.	CTI Interest Score Our Cyber Threat Intelligence team is monitoring different web sites, mailing lists, exploit markets and social media networks. The CTI Interest Score identifies the interest of attackers and the security community for this specific vulnerability in real-time. A high score indicates an elevated risk to be targeted for this vulnerability.
4.6	$0-$5k	0.81+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in Vim up to 9.2.0843. It has been declared as problematic. Impacted is the function json_decode_item of the file src/json.c of the component JSON Decoder. Such manipulation leads to use after free. This vulnerability is traded as CVE-2026-73071. An attack has to be approached locally. There is no exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Vim up to 9.2.0843 and classified as problematic. Affected by this issue is the function json_decode_item of the file src/json.c of the component JSON Decoder. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a use after free vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-416. Referencing memory after it has been freed can cause a program to crash, use unexpected values, or execute code. Impacted is confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Vim is an open source, command line text editor. From 9.2.0511 until 9.2.0844, json_decode_item() in src/json.c can retain a stale pointer after json_decode_string() invokes channel_fill() to refill and free the current buffer, causing the error path to read freed memory instead of reader->js_buf + reader->js_used when an invalid JSON string spans buffers. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0844.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-73071 since 08/10/2026. The exploitation is known to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 9.2.0844 eliminates this vulnerability.

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

Word Processing Software

Name

Version

9.2.0843

License

open-source

Website

Product: https://github.com/vim/vim/

CPE 2.3info

🔒

CPE 2.2info

🔒

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 4.6

VulDB Base Score: 4.8
VulDB Temp Score: 4.6
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

AV	AC	Au	C	I	A
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳
💳	💳	💳	💳	💳	💳

Vector	Complexity	Authentication	Confidentiality	Integrity	Availability
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

VulDB Base Score: 🔒
VulDB Temp Score: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Use after free
CWE: CWE-416 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

0-Day	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock
Today	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock	Unlock

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Vim 9.2.0844

Timelineinfo

08/10/2026 CVE reserved
08/11/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
08/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/11/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Product: github.com

Advisory: github.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-73071 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-73071
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-388184

Entryinfo

Created: 08/11/2026 17:51
Changes: 08/11/2026 17:51 (57)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103