CVE-2026-73078

What it is

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 quotes at five construction sites, allowing a crafted path browsed or bookmarked in GUI Vim to execute arbitrary Ex and operating-system commands. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0840.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.

Exploit odds

0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2026-08-11 16:17 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-10-06 19:25 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Details

Published

2026-08-11 16:17 UTC

Last modified

2026-10-06 19:25 UTC

Exploit probability

0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-77 · Command injection

Record status

Analyzed

Affected

• Vim < 9.2.0840

Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 8.6

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Attack requirements

None

Privileges needed

None

User interaction

Active

Confidentiality

High

Integrity

High

Availability

High