CVE-2026-44656
CVE-2026-44656 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Vim with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. 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-78.
Key facts
- Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
- CVSS v4: 4.6
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (56th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-28869
- Weakness: CWE-78
- Affected product: Vim
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.2.0435, an OS command injection vulnerability exists in Vim's :find command-line completion. When the path option contains backtick-enclosed shell commands, those commands are executed during file name completion. Because the path option lacks the P_SECURE flag, it can be set from a modeline, allowing an attacker who controls the contents of a file to execute arbitrary shell commands when the user opens that file in Vim and triggers :find completion. This issue has been patched in version 9.2.0435.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-44656?
- Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.2.0435, an OS command injection vulnerability exists in Vim's :find command-line completion. When the path option contains backtick-enclosed shell commands, those commands are executed during file name completion. Because the path option lacks the P_SECURE flag, it can be set from a modeline, allowing an attacker who controls the contents of a file to execute arbitrary shell commands when the user opens that file in Vim and triggers :find completion. This issue has been patched in version 9.2.0435.
- How severe is CVE-2026-44656?
- CVE-2026-44656 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
- Is CVE-2026-44656 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (56th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2026-44656?
- CVE-2026-44656 affects Vim. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2026-44656?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
- Does CVE-2026-44656 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2026-44656 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-28869.
- When was CVE-2026-44656 published?
- CVE-2026-44656 was published on 2026-05-08 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/190cb3c2b9c769a3972bcfd991a7b5b6cb771ef0
- https://github.com/vim/vim/releases/tag/v9.2.0435
- https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-hwg5-3cxw-wvvg
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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