7.8
HIGH CVSS 3.1
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. 2, 2025, 10:16 p.m.

Remotely Exploit :

No
Affected Products

The following products are affected by CVE-2025-66476 vulnerability. Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the products that are affected, the information is not represented in the table below.

No affected product recoded yet

CVSS Scores
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System is a standardized framework for assessing the severity of vulnerabilities in software and systems. We collect and displays CVSS scores from various sources for each CVE.
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 to fix a search path vulnerability on Windows.
  • 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.

URL Resource
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
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.

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.

  • 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
EPSS is a daily estimate of the probability of exploitation activity being observed over the next 30 days. Following chart shows the EPSS score history of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Scoring Details
Base CVSS Score: 7.8
Attack Vector
Attack Complexity
Privileges Required
User Interaction
Scope
Confidentiality Impact
Integrity Impact
Availability Impact