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Fencer Intel
high 7.8

CVE-2026-48778 json

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

published 4mo ago modified 4mo ago also EUVD-2026-39907

cvss
7.8
version 3.1, CNA
cisa kev
Not listed
not in CISA's catalog
epss
0.6%
EPSS 0.6% chance of exploitation in 30 days, percentile 50%
public exploits
1
Exploit-DB

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.

Patch / fix

  • notepad-plus-plus notepad++ 8.9.6.1

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Timeline

  1. First public exploit (EDB-52606)
  2. Published

CISA SSVC

Exploitation
Proof of concept is public
Automatable
no
Technical impact
total
Assessed
4mo ago

Exploit prediction

0.62% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 50% of all scored CVEs (FIRST EPSS, 2026-11-11).

Exploits and checks

  • EDB-52606 Notepad++ 8.9.6 - Arbitrary Code Execution remote, 2026-05-30
  • github.com https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-7hm3-wp5q-ccv9 referenced PoC, tagged "exploit" by a source, unverified

CVSS scores

assigned by version score vector
CNA 3.1 7.8 CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

  • notepad-plus-plus notepad-plus-plus

Classification

Weakness
  • CWE-78 Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command

References

Sources

Fencer Intel keeps one entry per vulnerability: the CVE id wins, then GHSA, and records that alias each other are merged, except that two CVEs always keep separate entries. The same data is available as JSON.

CPEs and fixed versions use Anchore's correction of NVD's data: Added CPE configurations because not yet analyzed by NVD.