Vulnerability · Published Dec 2, 2025 · Assigned by GitHub_M
CVE-2025-66476Vim for Windows Uncontrolled Search Path Element Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
High 7.8
In plain English
A high-severity uncontrolled search path in vim from vim. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.5% (higher than 40% of all known vulnerabilities).
Official description
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.
Affected packages & fixed versions
| Ecosystem | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu:22.04:LTS | vim | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-66476 |
| Ubuntu:24.04:LTS | vim | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-66476 |
| Ubuntu:25.10 | vim | no fix listed | UBUNTU-CVE-2025-66476 |
Affected products (as reported)
Weakness: CWE-427 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H