CVE-2025-66476: vim Uncontrolled Search Path Element

Vulnerability summary

CVE-2025-66476 is a high (CVSS 7.8) Uncontrolled Search Path Element vulnerability in vim. EPSS estimates a 0.45% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 38% of scored vulnerabilities.

Timeline

1. 02-12-2025
   PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
2. 26-02-2026
   Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.

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.

• CWE-427Uncontrolled Search Path ElementThe product uses a fixed or controlled search path to find resources, but one or more locations in that path can be under the control of unintended actors.