CVE-2025-66476: Vim is an open source, command line text editor

Q: How do I fix CVE-2025-66476?

vim: upgrade to 9.1.1947. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2025-66476 being exploited?

CVE-2025-66476 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2025-66476 affect?

CVE-2025-66476 affects vim. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). 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

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2025-66476 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting vim. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.5% (top 61%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-427
Published	2025-12-02
Last modified	2026-10-18

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: vim

Last updated 2026-10-18 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2025-12-02 22:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-18 18:10 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vim vim UPGRADE

Affected: < 9.1.1947

Fixed in: 9.1.1947

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vim || rpm -q vim || vim --version

2. UPGRADE to 9.1.1947 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade vim

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade vim

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2025-66476?

vim: upgrade to 9.1.1947. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2025-66476 being exploited?

CVE-2025-66476 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2025-66476 affect?

CVE-2025-66476 affects vim. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). 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

How urgent is CVE-2025-66476?

Priority 37/100. High severity

Software pages

Windows vulnerabilities · Vim vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-73070 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE Vim is an open source, command line text editor
CVE-2026-51400 HIGH 8.4 UPGRADE An issue in Vim Project v9.2.0389 and earlier allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the vms_fi
CVE-2026-51401 HIGH 7.7 UPGRADE An issue in Vim Project v9.2.0389 and earlier allows a local attacker to execute arbitrary code via the vms_fi
CVE-2026-34982 HIGH 8.2 UPGRADE Vim is an open source, command line text editor
CVE-2022-2946 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE MITIGATE Use After Free in GitHub repository vim/vim prior to 9.0.0246.

References

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