CVE-2026-73076 Vim: Arbitrary Command Execution via Malicious `.VimballRecord` Entry Replay in `vimball.vim`
Attackers can execute arbitrary commands by crafting a malicious .VimballRecord file processed by Vim's vimball plugin.
- 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-2026-73076?
CVE-2026-73076 is a high-severity code injection 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 9.2.0847, 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.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-73076?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Vim Vim.
How do I fix CVE-2026-73076?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade, and never evaluate templates, expressions or code built from user input. More about Code injection.
Is CVE-2026-73076 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-73076 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Vim Vim
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-73076, AZL-95562, BELL-CVE-2026-73076, CLSA-2026-1791476847, CLSA-2026-1791478209, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-73076 and 6 more.