CVE-2026-44656
Vim: OS Command Injection via 'path' completion
- Published
- May 8, 2026
- Updated
- May 11, 2026
- Assigning CNA
- GitHub_M
- Evidence observed
- Aug 25, 2026
Primary CVSS
nvd · CVSS 4.0
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:XLow · next 30 days
- Percentile
- 58.2%
- Model date
- Sep 21, 2026
EPSS is a statistical estimate, not a certainty or a measure of impact. Combine it with CVSS, KEV status, exposure and your environment.
Summary
Vim is an open source, command line text editor. Prior to version 9.2.0435, an OS command injection vulnerability exists in Vim's :find command-line completion. When the path option contains backtick-enclosed shell commands, those commands are executed during file name completion. Because the path option lacks the P_SECURE flag, it can be set from a modeline, allowing an attacker who controls the contents of a file to execute arbitrary shell commands when the user opens that file in Vim and triggers :find completion. This issue has been patched in version 9.2.0435.
Sources
1Reproduction environment for CVE-2026-44656, a Vim modeline command injection vulnerability. Includes Docker setup, PoC file, and exploit script to demonstrate arbitrary command execution via backtick expansion in the path option.
Responsible use
Use vulnerability information only on systems you own or are authorized to test. Kitploit links to public research metadata and does not store exploit code or malicious payloads.