CVE-2026-73071

lowCVSS 3.3covered by 2 sourcesfirst seen 2026-08-11

Vim is an open source, command line text editor. From 9.2.0511 until 9.2.0844, json_decode_item() in src/json.c can retain a stale pointer after json_decode_string() invokes channel_fill() to refill and free the current buffer, causing the error path to read freed memory instead of reader->js_buf + reader->js_used when an invalid JSON string spans buffers. This issue is fixed in version 9.2.0844.

CSIRTS triage

What: Use-after-free vulnerability in JSON decoding can cause crash or code execution.
Who is affected: Systems running Vim versions with JSON decoding functionality.
Urgency: Low severity (CVSS 3.3); not exploited; memory safety issue in optional feature.
Action: Update Vim to patched version addressing use-after-free in JSON decoder.

AI-assisted analysis generated from the source advisory — verify against the original.

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Exploitation outlook

Low exploitation risk0.11% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 1% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.

Advisory coverage (2)

lowCVE-2026-73071: Vim is an open source, command line text editor. From 9.2.0511 until 9.2.0844, json_decode_ite…nvd · 2026-08-11
lowCVE-2026-73071: Vim: Use-after-free in JSON Decodingmsrc · 2026-08-11

External references

NVD record for CVE-2026-73071

CVE.org record

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