CVE-2026-73078: Vim is an open source, command line text editor

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-73078?

vim: upgrade to 9.2.0840. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-73078 being exploited?

CVE-2026-73078 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-2026-73078 affect?

CVE-2026-73078 affects vim. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0840, runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim loads netrw and runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim constructs Bookmarks, History, and Targets menu entries by interpolating attac

Routine

HIGH 8.8UPGRADE

CVE-2026-73078 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 8.8) 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 9.2.0840, runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim loads netrw and runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim constructs Bookmarks, History, and Targets menu entries by interpolating attacker-controlled directory paths into executed :menu commands. s:NetrwBookmarkMenu(), s:NetrwTgtMenu(), g:netrw_menu_escape, EX_TRLBAR, and netrw#MakeTgt() fail to neutralize the | command separator or single quo

Why this priority

High severity

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	8.8 (High)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 76%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-77, CWE-184
Published	2026-08-11
Last modified	2026-10-06

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

Last updated 2026-10-06 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-08-11 16:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-06 19:25 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vim vim UPGRADE

Affected: < 9.2.0840

Fixed in: 9.2.0840

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

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

2. UPGRADE to 9.2.0840 (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-2026-73078?

vim: upgrade to 9.2.0840. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-73078 being exploited?

CVE-2026-73078 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-2026-73078 affect?

CVE-2026-73078 affects vim. Severity is high (CVSS 8.8). Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0840, runtime/plugin/netrwPlugin.vim loads netrw and runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim constructs Bookmarks, History, and Targets menu entries by interpolating attac

How urgent is CVE-2026-73078?

Priority 37/100. High severity

Software pages

Vim vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

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-2026-73071 LOW 3.3 UPGRADE Vim is an open source, command line text editor
CVE-2026-73072 HIGH 7.3 UPGRADE Vim is an open source, command line text editor

References

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