# CVE-2026-59856: Vim command injection in PHP omni-completion

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-59856-vim-command-injection-in-php-omni-completion  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-07-09. Updated: 2026-07-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-59856 · Severity: info · CVSS 8.4 · Published 2026-07-09

Vim is a widely used open-source text editor. A vulnerability in its PHP auto-completion feature allows a specially crafted PHP file to execute malicious commands on a user's computer. If a user opens a malicious PHP file and triggers the 'omni-completion' feature (typically used for code suggestions), an attacker could gain full control over the user's system and data.

Technologies: [Vim](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/vim). Vendors: [Vim](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/vim).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-59856 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-59856 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-59856?** Informational severity, with a CVSS score of 8.4, published 9 July 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Vim < 9.2.0736.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-59856?** A patch was published on 2026-07-09: Fixed in version 9.2.0736 Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2026-59856 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-59856?** Check whether you run Vim at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

A code injection vulnerability exists in the PHP omni-completion script (`runtime/autoload/phpcomplete.vim`) in Vim versions prior to 9.2.0736. The `phpcomplete#GetClassContentsStructure()` function interpolates class or trait names directly from the buffer into a `search()` pattern executed via `win_execute()` without proper escaping. By including a single quote and a pipe character (`|`) in a class name, an attacker can terminate the search string and execute arbitrary Ex commands. Exploitation requires the user to have filetype plugins enabled and to manually trigger omni-completion (CTRL-X CTRL-O) while editing a malicious PHP file. The issue is resolved in patch version 9.2.0736 by properly quoting the class name before interpolation.

## Affected products

- Vim Vim < 9.2.0736

## Timeline

- 2026-06-28: advisory: GitHub Security Advisory published
- 2026-07-09: disclosed: CVE-2026-59856 published to NVD
- 2026-07-09: patched: Fixed in version 9.2.0736

## References

- [https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/43afc581a37a35762dd0ef292f038b9dc5680a24](https://github.com/vim/vim/commit/43afc581a37a35762dd0ef292f038b9dc5680a24)
- [https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-fh26-8f79-wj97](https://github.com/vim/vim/security/advisories/GHSA-fh26-8f79-wj97)

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