CVE-2025-66476
Prior to version 9.1.1947, an uncontrolled search path vulnerability on Windows allows Vim to execute malicious executables placed in the current working directory for the current edited file.
Does this matter?
High impact if exploited, but EPSS currently rates exploitation as unlikely (0.45%). Schedule it in the normal patch cycle and watch for a rise in EPSS or a public exploit.
Description
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.1.1947, an uncontrolled search path vulnerability on Windows allows Vim to execute malicious executables placed in the current working directory for the current edited file. On Windows, when using cmd.exe as a shell, Vim resolves external commands by searching the current working directory before system paths. When Vim invokes tools such as findstr for :grep, external commands or filters via :!, or compiler/:make commands, it may inadvertently run a malicious executable present in the same directory as the file being edited. The issue affects Vim for Windows prior to version 9.1.1947.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.45% probability · 38th percentile
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-427
- Affected
- vim/vim
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
References
- https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/083ec6d9a3b7b09006e0ce69ac802597d25Patch
- https://github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v9.1.1947Release Notes
- https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-g77q-xrww-p834Patch, Vendor Advisory
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/02/5Mailing List, Patch, Third Party Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA. Refreshed daily.