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CVE-2026-43961

HIGH 7.8 ALL-YEARS

Published 2026-08-19 · Last modified 2026-10-16 · redhat · NVD: Awaiting Analysis

A flaw was found in Vim's netrw plugin. A crafted filename containing quote characters and expression fragments can break out of the quoted context during mark/unmark operations, allowing arbitrary Vimscript execution. This can be leveraged to run shell commands with the privileges of the user running Vim.

ELEVATED IMPACT

Severe if exploited (CVSS 7.8), but no confirmed exploitation. Patch on a normal cadence.

Exploitation likelihood

0.2%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 12th percentile

○ In CISA KEV○ Catalogued PoC◆ SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no

Impact if exploited

7.8CVSS 3.1 · HIGH · CNA

  • ConfidentialityHigh
  • IntegrityHigh
  • AvailabilityHigh

What an attacker needs

  • ⚠Access: Requires local access to the host
  • ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
  • ⚠User interaction: A user must take an action (click / open a file)
  • ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable

✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it

Proof of concept

No public PoC is currently catalogued.

Search for new PoCs

Search GitHub now — results may be empty or unverified.

Tracked sources are checked weekly for the full archive, including PoCs published after the original disclosure. A later release appears after a tracked source lists it and a refresh succeeds.

Affected

Vendors Vim Red Hat

Products Vim Red Hat Hardened Images 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 Openshift Container Platform 4

Weakness (CWE)

  • CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')

CVSS vector

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References and research data (JSON)

Vendor product assessments

Showing 32 of 51 vendor product statements; 19 omitted. Read the full vendor advisory.

  • vim-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@src as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=src&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-source-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-X11-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-X11-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=x86_64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-common-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-data-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@noarch@public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=noarch&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-data-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@noarch@public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=noarch&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-default-editor-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@noarch@public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=noarch&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-default-editor-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@noarch@public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=noarch&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-enhanced-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-enhanced-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=x86_64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-filesystem-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@noarch@public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=noarch&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-minimal-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-minimal-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=x86_64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • xxd-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@aarch64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=aarch64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-aarch64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • xxd-0:9.2.967-1.1.hum1@x86_64 as a component of Red Hat Hardened Images · fixed

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/[email protected]?arch=x86_64&distro=hummingbird-20251124&repository_id=public-hummingbird-x86_64-rpms

    • vendor fix: For details on how to apply this update, which includes the changes described in this advisory, refer to: https://images.redhat.com/ Vendor guidance
    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-X11 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-X11

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-data as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-data

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-filesystem as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-filesystem

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • xxd as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 10 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/xxd

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-common as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-common

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • no fix planned: Out of support scope
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-filesystem as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-filesystem

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • no fix planned: Out of support scope
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 6 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim?arch=src

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • no fix planned: Out of support scope
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-enhanced as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-enhanced

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-minimal as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-minimal

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-X11 as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-X11

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-enhanced as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-enhanced

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-minimal as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-minimal

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-common as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-common

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim-filesystem as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim-filesystem

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • vim.src as a component of Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 · known affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    pkg:rpm/redhat/vim?arch=src

    • workaround: To mitigate this issue, users should avoid browsing untrusted directories or interacting with files from untrusted sources using Vim's netrw plugin. Exercise caution when opening directories that may contain maliciously crafted filenames.
    • none available: Affected
    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:oci/ose-rhel-coreos-8?repository_url=registry.redhat.io/openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-8

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00
  • openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9 as a component of Red Hat OpenShift Container Platform 4 · known not affected

    Vendor assessment for this product only.

    Reason: vulnerable code not present

    pkg:oci/ose-rhel-coreos-9?repository_url=registry.redhat.io/openshift/ose-rhel-coreos-9

    Red Hat · CVE-2026-43961 · Updated 2026-10-16T17:42:51+00:00

All CVSS metrics

  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · CNA Primary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
  • HIGH 7.8 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
    CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References

Advisories

Technical & other

Sources: NVD · CVE.org · All sources and attribution · EPSS