Vim: Vimscript Code Injection in netrw NetrwLocalRmFile() via crafted filename
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Active
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-78.
Summary
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to 9.2.0663, a Vimscript code injection vulnerability exists in s:NetrwLocalRmFile() in the netrw plugin (runtime/pack/dist/opt/netrw/autoload/netrw.vim) when deleting a local file from the browser. A filename derived from the buffer's directory listing is interpolated into an Ex command line passed to :execute with only the backslash character escaped, allowing a crafted filename containing a bar (|) to terminate the intended command and execute arbitrary Vimscript, including shell commands via :call system() and :!. This vulnerability is fixed in 9.2.0663.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
Remediation
- Fix · CNA vim (vim) Fixed in 9.2.0663
Vendor assessments
Red Hat
Red Hat rating: Important. Red Hat's page for this CVE →
Not affected: 8 products
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8
- Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9
- Red Hat Hardened Images
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4
- Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 5
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-55895
- 2026-11-05 Affected versions changed · Red Hat
References
More Vim vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-03248 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2024-15103 Vim before 9.0.2142 has a stack-based buffer overflow because did_set_langmap in map.c… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-05093 Use After Free in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04407 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04379 Heap-based Buffer Overflow in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
- TI-2023-04378 Use After Free in vim/vim CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
Sources
- CVE-2026-55895 · CVE Program
- CVE-2026-55895 · NVD
- FIRST EPSS
- CVE-2026-55895 · Red Hat security data · CC BY 4.0
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences