CVE-2026-48778
When the user triggers IDM_FILE_OPEN_CMD (File → Open Containing Folder → cmd), NppCommands.cpp:228 creates a Command object with this value and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the…
Does this matter?
A public exploit is published in Exploit-DB and the impact is high, while EPSS rates exploitation at 0.6%. Anyone can run this; patch or mitigate before the next change window and check exposed instances for signs of use.
Description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.1, the <GUIConfig name="commandLineInterpreter"> tag in config.xml is read by NppXml::value() (Parameters.cpp:6430) and stored in _nppGUI._commandLineInterpreter without any validation, whitelist, or digital signature check. When the user triggers IDM_FILE_OPEN_CMD (File → Open Containing Folder → cmd), NppCommands.cpp:228 creates a Command object with this value and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the executable path. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.1.
- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
- EPSS
- 0.62% probability · 50th percentile
- Public exploits
- 1 in Exploit-DB · first 30 May 2026
- CISA KEV
- Not listed
- Weakness
- CWE-78
- Affected
- notepad-plus-plus/notepad\+\+
- Source
- security-advisories@github.com
EPSS 0.6% since 27 October 2026; no change recorded yet. Points are recorded when the score first appears and whenever it moves by a percentage point or more.
Public exploits (1)
Entries in Exploit-DB that cite this CVE. Links go to the Exploit-DB page and to the file in the public repository; nothing is hosted here. A verified tick means the Exploit-DB team confirmed the exploit works against the stated version.
References
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/24c7b5c63cece76dbc8c4f2607a27ebfe22fa614Patch
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-7hm3-wp5q-ccv9Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-7hm3-wp5q-ccv9Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory
Source: NVD record, EPSS from FIRST.org, KEV from CISA, exploits from Exploit-DB. Refreshed daily. Download this record as JSON.