CVE-2026-59856

Vim: Arbitrary Code Execution via PHP Omni-Completion

Published Jul 9, 2026 CVSS 4.0 · 8.4 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed

Description

Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0736, the PHP omni-completion script in runtime/autoload/phpcomplete.vim interpolates a class or trait name, taken from the contents of the edited buffer, into a search() pattern that is run via win_execute() without escaping. A name containing a single quote can terminate the search() string argument early, and because the bar is honored as an Ex command separator, the remainder of the name is run as Ex commands; via the :! command this allows arbitrary operating-system command execution when a victim opens a crafted PHP file and invokes omni-completion. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0736.

Analysis

Technical impact

Vim's Omni-Completion feature for PHP fails to escape class or trait names that are read from the current buffer. A name containing a single quote can terminate the win_execute() argument early, letting attackers insert arbitrary Ex commands that are passed to :! and executed by the operating system. The resulting vulnerability allows an attacker who can open a crafted PHP file and invoke omni-completion to run arbitrary commands, compromising the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system running Vim.

Affected Systems

The issue affects Vim versions prior to 9.2.0736, specifically the vim:vim product. The insecure PHP Omni-Completion script is located in runtime/autoload/phpcomplete.vim. Users who run older Vim releases on any platform that supports this feature are susceptible.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score is 8.4, indicating high severity. The EPSS score of < 1% indicates a very low probability of exploitation, and the vulnerability is not listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Because the flaw runs operating‑system commands with the user's privileges, exploitation can result in full remote command execution against the account running Vim. The attack requires a victim to edit a crafted PHP file and invoke omni-completion; based on the description, it is inferred that the likely attack vector is local or session‑based. The lack of published exploits does not diminish the risk; the flaw is straightforward to exploit once the conditions are met.

Affected Products

Default status is the baseline for the product, each version can override it (e.g. patched versions marked unaffected).

Vendor Product Default status Versions

vim

affected

Version	Status	Constraints
`< 9.2.0736`	affected	—

Configuration 1 [-]

cpe:2.3:a:vim:vim:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Vim

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,9.2.0736)`	affected	semver	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Upgrade Vim to release 9.2.0736 or later, where the PHP omni‑completion script has been fixed to properly escape input and remove the win_execute() call.
If an upgrade is not immediately possible, disable the omni‑completion feature for PHP by setting the 'omnifunc' option to an empty string or removing the plugin from runtime paths, preventing the vulnerable code from being loaded.
As a temporary precaution, configure Vim to disallow the use of the :! command globally or within the session by setting the 'shell' option to a safe path or using the 'noshell' setting, limiting the ability to execute arbitrary OS commands.

Generated by OpenCVE AI on August 1, 2026 at 13:34 UTC.

Tracking

Advisories

Source	ID	Title
Ubuntu USN	USN-8541-1	Vim vulnerabilities

Metrics

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Attack Requirements None

User Interaction Active

Vulnerable System Confidentiality Impact High

Vulnerable System Integrity Impact High

Vulnerable System Availability Impact High

Subsequent System Confidentiality Impact None

Subsequent System Integrity Impact None

Subsequent System Availability Impact None

Attack Vector Local

Attack Complexity Low

Privileges Required None

Scope Unchanged

Confidentiality Impact High

Integrity Impact High

Availability Impact High

User Interaction Required

No CVSS v3.0

No CVSS v2

This CVE is not in the KEV list.

Exploit prediction score: < 1% (0.216% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/43afc581a37a35762dd0ef292f038b9dc5680a24
https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-fh26-8f79-wj97
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59856
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-59856

History

Jul 13, 2026 12:15 PM Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
References		https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59856 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-59856
Metrics	threat_severity `None`	cvssV3_1 `{'score': 5.3, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:L'}` threat_severity `Moderate`

Jul 12, 2026 3:30 AM Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Metrics		ssvc `{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'none', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}`

Jul 10, 2026 12:15 AM First appearance in the feed. Affected vendors updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
First Time appeared		Vim Vim vim
Vendors & Products		Vim Vim vim

Jul 9, 2026 10:45 PM Description updated. Title updated. Weaknesses updated. Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
Description		Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0736, the PHP omni-completion script in runtime/autoload/phpcomplete.vim interpolates a class or trait name, taken from the contents of the edited buffer, into a search() pattern that is run via win_execute() without escaping. A name containing a single quote can terminate the search() string argument early, and because the bar is honored as an Ex command separator, the remainder of the name is run as Ex commands; via the :! command this allows arbitrary operating-system command execution when a victim opens a crafted PHP file and invokes omni-completion. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0736.
Title		Vim: Arbitrary Code Execution via PHP Omni-Completion
Weaknesses		CWE-94
References		https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/43afc581a37a35762dd0ef292f038b9dc5680a24 https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-fh26-8f79-wj97
Metrics		cvssV4_0 `{'score': 8.4, 'vector': 'CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N'}`