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CVE-2026-48778

Notepad++: Arbitrary Code Execution via config.xml commandLineInterpreter

Published
Last modified
published
Not listed in CISA KEV
Fix
Fixed in 8.9.6.1
1 on Exploit-DB, 2 proofs of concept on GitHub
  • Exploitation: poc
  • Automatable: no
  • Technical impact: total

Summary

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.

Timeline

  1. Public exploit on Exploit-DB

    EDB-52606

  2. CVE published
  3. CISA SSVC assessment

    Exploitation: poc · Automatable: no · Technical impact: total

  4. Record last updated

Affected versions

  • notepad-plus-plus notepad-plus-plus

    fixed in 8.9.6.1

References 5

GitHub · notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus

Exploit-DB

GitHub · XK3NF4/CVE-2026-48778

GitHub · kavin-jindal/CVE-2026-48778-PoC