Vim: Arbitrary Command Execution via Malicious `.VimballRecord` Entry Replay in `vimball.vim`
Published Aug 11, 2026
8.4
HIGHCVSS 4.0
EPSS 0.13%
Description
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0847, runtime/autoload/vimball.vim allows a crafted vimball member named .VimballRecord to overwrite the installation record with attacker-chosen commands. When vimball#RmVimball() later processes the matching record entry, the stored Ex commands, including operating-system commands invoked through :!, execute with the privileges of the user running Vim. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0847.
Affected products
-
- Version < 9.2.0847StatusaffectedConstraints-
- Version
No data.
No data.
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
vim-2:9.1.083-9.el10_2.20
Fixed · RHSA-2026:66336
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support
vim-2:7.4.629-8.el7_9.2
Fixed · RHSA-2026:68711
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
vim-2:8.0.1763-31.el8_10.7
Fixed · RHSA-2026:66348
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
vim-2:8.0.1763-31.el8_10.7
Fixed · RHSA-2026:66348
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
vim-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.21
Fixed · RHSA-2026:66366
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
vim-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.21
Fixed · RHSA-2026:66366
Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5
rhui5/cds-kubernetes-rhel9:1789479916
Fixed · RHSA-2026:67956
Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5
rhui5/cds-rhel9:1789479900
Fixed · RHSA-2026:67956
Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5
rhui5/haproxy-rhel9:1789479891
Fixed · RHSA-2026:67956
Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5
rhui5/installer-rhel9:1789482961
Fixed · RHSA-2026:67956
Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
vim
Affected
Red Hat Hardened Images
vim
Not affected
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8
Not affected
Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9
Not affected
| Product | Package | State | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 | vim-2:9.1.083-9.el10_2.20 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:66336 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 Extended Lifecycle Support | vim-2:7.4.629-8.el7_9.2 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:68711 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | vim-2:8.0.1763-31.el8_10.7 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:66348 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 | vim-2:8.0.1763-31.el8_10.7 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:66348 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | vim-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.21 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:66366 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 | vim-2:8.2.2637-26.el9_8.21 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:66366 |
| Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5 | rhui5/cds-kubernetes-rhel9:1789479916 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:67956 |
| Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5 | rhui5/cds-rhel9:1789479900 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:67956 |
| Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5 | rhui5/haproxy-rhel9:1789479891 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:67956 |
| Red Hat Update Infrastructure 5 | rhui5/installer-rhel9:1789482961 | Fixed | RHSA-2026:67956 |
| Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 | vim | Affected | n/a |
| Red Hat Hardened Images | vim | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 | Not affected | n/a |
| Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 | openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 | Not affected | n/a |
No package ranges for this CVE.
Remediation
Red Hat statement
This is an Important vulnerability in Vim where a crafted vimball can lead to arbitrary command execution. The flaw allows an attacker to embed malicious commands within a `.VimballRecord` file, which are then executed with user privileges during a later, unrelated vimball installation or removal. This extends the impact of processing untrusted vimball files beyond the initial installation.
Red Hat mitigation
Avoid installing or removing vimballs from untrusted sources. This vulnerability relies on a user processing a malicious vimball, which then injects commands that are executed during a subsequent vimball operation. Exercise caution when handling vimball files from unknown or unverified origins.
References (6)
- https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-73076 Vendor Advisory
- https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2514034 Issue Tracking
- https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/581a2f3ac9c6f96a26324f6b2c8c11415fd0d452 x_refsource_MISC
- https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-r22p-fhw4-84p2 x_refsource_CONFIRM
- https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-73076
- https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-73076
| Link | Providers | Tags |
|---|---|---|
| https://access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-73076 | Vendor Advisory | |
| https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2514034 | Issue Tracking | |
| https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/581a2f3ac9c6f96a26324f6b2c8c11415fd0d452 | x_refsource_MISC | |
| https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-r22p-fhw4-84p2 | x_refsource_CONFIRM | |
| https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-73076 | ||
| https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-73076 |
Change history (0)
No recorded changes yet.