CVE-2025-66476 HIGH

CVE-2025-66476: Vim for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Vendor Vim
Product vim
Weakness CWE-427
Published December 2, 2025
Last update February 26, 2026

CVSS base score

7.8/10
Attack vector Local
Attack complexity Low
Privileges required None
User interaction Required
Confidentiality High
Integrity High

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

What the vulnerability does

01Description

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.

Key dates

02Disclosure timeline

December 2, 2025 CVE published
February 26, 2026 Record updated