CVE-2026-73072 Vim: Heap Buffer Overflow when Loading a Spell File
A heap buffer overflow in Vim allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted spell file, requiring users to update to the latest version.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-73072?
CVE-2026-73072 is a high-severity memory corruption vulnerability in Vim Vim, published on 11 Aug 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0846, set_sofo() in src/spellfile.c reuses sl_sal_first[] without resetting values left by set_sal_first(), so a crafted spell file containing an SN_SAL section before an SN_SOFO section causes under-counted mapping lists and attacker-influenced writes beyond a heap allocation. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0846.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-73072?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Vim Vim.
How do I fix CVE-2026-73072?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-73072 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-73072 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in Vim Vim
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-73072, AZL-95556, BELL-CVE-2026-73072, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-73072, ECHO-32bd-c066-628a, GHSA-9jqx-hgpr-6v64 and 4 more.