CVE-2025-66476
Vim for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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.
INFO
Published Date :
Dec. 2, 2025, 10:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
Dec. 4, 2025, 5:15 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | MITRE-CVE |
Solution
- Update Vim to version 9.1.1947 or later.
- Avoid editing files in untrusted directories.
- Review Vim's search path configuration on Windows.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2025-66476.
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2025-66476 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2025-66476
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2025-66476 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
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CybersecurityNews
Vim for Windows Vulnerability Let Attackers Execute Arbitrary Code
A critical security vulnerability has been discovered in Vim for Windows that could allow attackers to execute malicious code on users’ computers. The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2025-66476, affe ... Read more
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Daily CyberSecurity
High-Severity Vim for Windows Flaw (CVE-2025-66476) Risks Arbitrary Code Execution from Compromised Folders
Ideally, text editors are passive tools—you open a file, edit it, and save it. But a new high-severity vulnerability in Vim for Windows turns that assumption on its head, potentially allowing attacker ... Read more
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2025-66476 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
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CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Dec. 03, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/02/5 -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Dec. 02, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Added 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. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-427 Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/083ec6d9a3b7b09006e0ce69ac802597d25 Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v9.1.1947 Added Reference https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-g77q-xrww-p834