Heap-based buffer overflow in Vim - CVE-2026-28418

Detailed vulnerability description

The vulnerability allows a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code on the target system.

The vulnerability exists due to a boundary error within the emacs_tags_new_filename() function in Emacs-style tags file parsing logic. A remote attacker can trick the victim into opening a specially crafted tags file, trigger a heap-based buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code on the target system.

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability may result in complete compromise of vulnerable system.

How to mitigate CVE-2026-28418

Sources

• https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-h4mf-vg97-hj8j
• https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/f6a7f469a9c0d09e84cd6cb