CVE-2026-59858

Vim: Arbitrary Code Execution via C 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 9.2.0735, the C omni-completion script in runtime/autoload/ccomplete.vim interpolates the typeref: or typename: extension field of a tags entry, without escaping, into a :vimgrep pattern that is run through :execute. Because :vimgrep honors the bar as a command separator, a crafted tag field can close the search pattern and append an arbitrary Ex command; opening a hostile .c file whose project tags file contains such an entry and invoking C omni-completion runs that command as the editing user. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0735.

Analysis

Technical impact

The error occurs within Vim’s C omni‑completion script that interpolates the typeref: or typename: extension field of a tags entry into a :vimgrep pattern without proper escaping. Because the pattern is then executed by Vim’s :execute command, a maliciously crafted tags entry can terminate the search pattern and append an arbitrary Ex command. When a user with editing privileges opens a .c file whose project tags file contains such a malicious entry and invokes C omni‑completion, Vim executes that injected Ex command as the editing user, resulting in arbitrary code execution.

Affected Systems

All versions of Vim older than 9.2.0735 are affected, including release series 9.1.x and earlier as well as the current 9.2 branch before patch u0735. Systems that use the default C omni‑completion routine and load project tags files containing untrusted entries are vulnerable.

Risk and Exploitability

The CVSS score of 8.4 indicates a high severity vulnerability. However, the EPSS score of <1% indicates a very low exploitation probability. The issue is not listed in CISA’s KEV catalog. The attack vector is local, requiring an attacker to provide a malicious tags file to a user who opens a .c source file and triggers C omni‑completion. Once executed entire system.

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
`< 9.2.0735`	affected	—

Configuration 1 [-]

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

No data.

Vendor Product Versions

Vim

Version	Status	Scheme	Platform
`[0,9.2.0735)`	affected	semver	—

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record.

OpenCVE Recommended Actions

Upgrade Vim to version 9.2.0735 or later, where the injection issue is fixed.
Remove or sanitize any typeref: or typename: entries in project tags files that could contain untrusted data.
Disable C omni‑completion for files that load external tags, or configure Vim to use a safe tags file environment.
If upgrading is not immediately possible, consider to prevent execution of injected 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% (0.137% probability within 30 days)

Exploitation none

Automatable no

Technical Impact total

References

Link	Providers
https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/6b611b0d15603c52ebdad17172b0232b4f65704e
https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-mf92-v4xw-j45x
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59858
https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-59858

History

Jul 14, 2026 12:15 AM Added references. Scoring metrics updated View changes

Type	Values Removed	Values Added
References		https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-59858 https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2026-59858
Metrics	threat_severity `None`	cvssV3_1 `{'score': 6.5, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L'}` threat_severity `Moderate`

Jul 10, 2026 3:30 PM 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 9.2.0735, the C omni-completion script in runtime/autoload/ccomplete.vim interpolates the typeref: or typename: extension field of a tags entry, without escaping, into a :vimgrep pattern that is run through :execute. Because :vimgrep honors the bar as a command separator, a crafted tag field can close the search pattern and append an arbitrary Ex command; opening a hostile .c file whose project tags file contains such an entry and invoking C omni-completion runs that command as the editing user. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0735.
Title		Vim: Arbitrary Code Execution via C Omni-Completion
Weaknesses		CWE-94
References		https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/6b611b0d15603c52ebdad17172b0232b4f65704e https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-mf92-v4xw-j45x
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'}`