CVE-2026-8997 Heap Buffer Overflow in vifm
A heap buffer overflow in vifm allows attackers to cause crashes or execute code via crafted history entries during state file saving.
- 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-2026-8997?
CVE-2026-8997 is a medium-severity memory corruption vulnerability in vifm, published on 22 May 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
vifm is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow during the history merge process when saving the state file (vifminfo.json). This flaw occurs because the application lacks a runtime check on the length of history entries in release builds, potentially allowing a crafted long path or command in the history to cause memory corruption or application crashes. Releases from 0.12.1 to 0.14.3 (including) are considered vulnerable. This issue was fixed in commit 23063c7
Weakness: CWE-122
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-8997?
Linux distribution packages (1)
vifm openSUSE:Tumbleweed | All versions | 0.14.4-1.1 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-8997?
Apply the vendor's patch.
Upgrade to the fixed version. Memory-safe languages, compiler hardening and fuzzing prevent most new cases. More about Memory corruption.
Is CVE-2026-8997 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-8997 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2026-8997, GHSA-3623-vc46-pwpv, UBUNTU-CVE-2026-8997, openSUSE-SU-2026:10928-1.