CVE-2025-66476

CVE-2025-66476 is a high-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.

Key facts

• Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
• EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (35th percentile)
• Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
• EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-200373
• Weakness: CWE-427
• Affected product: Vim
• Published: 2025-12-02
• Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-66476?

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.

How severe is CVE-2025-66476?

CVE-2025-66476 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-66476 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (35th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2025-66476?

CVE-2025-66476 affects Vim. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2025-66476?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2025-66476 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-66476 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-200373.

When was CVE-2025-66476 published?

CVE-2025-66476 was published on 2025-12-02 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

• https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/083ec6d9a3b7b09006e0ce69ac802597d25
• https://github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v9.1.1947
• https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-g77q-xrww-p834
• http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2025/12/02/5

Affected products (1)

• cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

More vulnerabilities in Vim

• CVE-2020-20703 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Buffer Overflow vulnerability in VIM v.8.1.2135 allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via the operand…
• CVE-2022-3520 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Heap-based Buffer Overflow in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.0765.
• CVE-2022-0318 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim prior to 8.2.
• CVE-2017-6350 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An integer overflow at an unserialize_uep memory allocation site would occur for vim before patch 8.0.0378, if it does…
• CVE-2017-6349 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An integer overflow at a u_read_undo memory allocation site would occur for vim before patch 8.0.0377, if it does not…
• CVE-2017-5953 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): vim before patch 8.0.0322 does not properly validate values for tree length when handling a spell file, which may…

All CVEs affecting Vim →

Other CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities

• CVE-2025-4981 — Critical (CVSS 9.9): Mattermost versions 10.5.x <= 10.5.5, 9.11.x <= 9.11.15, 10.8.x <= 10.8.0, 10.7.x <= 10.7.2, 10.6.x <= 10.6.5 fail to…
• CVE-2025-69599 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): RayVentory Scan Engine through 12.6 Update 8 allows attackers to gain privileges if they control the value of the PATH…
• CVE-2019-25268 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): NREL BEopt 2.8.0.0 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to load arbitrary libraries by tricking…
• CVE-2023-53959 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): FileZilla Client 3.63.1 contains a DLL hijacking vulnerability that allows attackers to execute malicious code by…
• CVE-2025-65741 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): Sublime Text 3 Build 3208 or prior for MacOS is vulnerable to Dylib Injection. An attacker could compile a .dylib file…
• CVE-2024-23054 — Critical (CVSS 9.8): An issue in Plone Docker Official Image 5.2.13 (5221) open-source software that could allow for remote code execution…

Browse all CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities →