CVE-2026-73077 Vim: Arbitrary Code Execution via Shell Keyword Lookup
Attackers can execute arbitrary OS commands via crafted Visual-mode selections in Vim shell plugins, requiring user interaction to trigger.
- 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-2026-73077?
CVE-2026-73077 is a high-severity command 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 9.2.0839, the runtime/ftplugin/sh.vim, runtime/ftplugin/zsh.vim, and runtime/ftplugin/ps1.vim filetype plugins pass attacker-controlled Visual-mode selections from K through keywordprg commands without safely separating shell arguments. fnameescape() and PATH_ESC_CHARS do not neutralize shell metacharacters before ShKeywordPrg, ZshKeywordPrg, or GetHelp invokes bash, zsh, or PowerShell, allowing arbitrary operating-system commands to execute with the privileges of the user running Vim. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0839.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-73077?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Vim Vim.
How do I fix CVE-2026-73077?
Upgrade to a fixed version.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-73077 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-73077 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Other vulnerabilities in Vim Vim
Sources
Also known as ALPINE-CVE-2026-73077, AZL-95559, BELL-CVE-2026-73077, CLSA-2026-1789602943, CLSA-2026-1789603817, DEBIAN-CVE-2026-73077 and 6 more.