CVE-2022-0392 – CVE-2022-0392 is a heap-based buffer overflow v... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2022-0392?

CVE-2022-0392 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). CVE-2022-0392 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Vim text editor versions prior to 8.2. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by tricking users into opening specially crafted files. Anyone using vulnerable Vim versions is affected.

📋 TL;DR

CVE-2022-0392 is a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in Vim text editor versions prior to 8.2. This vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by tricking users into opening specially crafted files. Anyone using vulnerable Vim versions is affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

Vim

Versions: All versions prior to 8.2

Operating Systems: Linux, Unix-like systems, Windows, macOS

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All standard Vim installations are vulnerable if using affected versions.

📦 What is this software?

Debian Linux by Debian

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Macos by Apple

macOS is Apple's desktop and laptop operating system powering Mac computers used by millions of professionals, developers, creative professionals, and enterprise users worldwide. Built on a Unix foundation with the Darwin kernel and modern Cocoa frameworks, macOS delivers a seamless ecosystem integr...

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Vim by Vim

View all CVEs affecting Vim →

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with the privileges of the Vim user, potentially leading to full system compromise.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution in sandboxed environments.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if proper patching and security controls are implemented.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - Vim is typically not directly internet-facing.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Internal users could be targeted via malicious files.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ✅ No

Complexity: MEDIUM

Exploitation requires user interaction (opening malicious file). Proof-of-concept code is publicly available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Vim 8.2 and later

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/806d037671e133bd28a7864248763f643967973a

Restart Required: No

Instructions:

1. Update Vim to version 8.2 or later using your system's package manager. 2. For Linux: 'sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade vim' (Debian/Ubuntu) or 'sudo yum update vim' (RHEL/CentOS). 3. For Windows/macOS: Download latest version from vim.org.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable modeline feature

all

Disables Vim's modeline feature which is involved in the vulnerability

Add 'set nomodeline' to ~/.vimrc

Restrict file access

all

Limit Vim usage to trusted files only

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Implement application allowlisting to restrict Vim usage
Use alternative text editors for untrusted files

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Run 'vim --version' and check if version is below 8.2

Check Version:

vim --version | head -1

Verify Fix Applied:

Run 'vim --version' and confirm version is 8.2 or higher

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Vim process crashes
Abnormal memory usage patterns in Vim

Network Indicators:

Unusual file transfers to systems running Vim

SIEM Query:

Process:Name=vim AND (EventID=1000 OR MemoryUsage>threshold)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2022-0392

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

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

CWE: CWE-122

Published: January 28, 2022

Last Updated: November 3, 2025

🔗 References

http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/28 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/41 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/43 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/806d037671e133bd28a7864248763f643967973a Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://huntr.dev/bounties/d00a2acd-1935-4195-9d5b-4115ef6b3126 Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00032.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-32 Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213444 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213488 Vendor Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/28 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/41 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2022/Oct/43 Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/806d037671e133bd28a7864248763f643967973a Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://huntr.dev/bounties/d00a2acd-1935-4195-9d5b-4115ef6b3126 Exploit,Patch,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2022/11/msg00032.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2025/03/msg00023.html
https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-32 Third Party Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213444 Vendor Advisory
https://support.apple.com/kb/HT213488 Vendor Advisory

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🔗 Related Vulnerabilities

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