RCE in Notepad-Plus-Plus Notepad\+\+
CVE-2026-48778
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.
Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)
Published · last modified .
CVSS v3 metric
CVSS v3 base score 7.8 (High). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
EPSS exploit prediction
EPSS: 0.006 (47.6th percentile), scored .
Very low probability of exploitation in the next 30 days; routine patching cadence is appropriate. 48th percentile — 47.6% of CVEs in the catalogue have a lower EPSS than this one. How to read EPSS.
EPSS over last 30 days · oldest: 0.006 · newest: 0.006 · change: 0.000
Affected products
- Notepad-Plus-Plus Notepad\+\+
- Notepad-Plus-Plus — versions < 8.9.6.1
Weakness classification (CWE)
Public proof-of-concept exploits
References
- github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-7hm3-wp… (Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory)
- github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/24c7b5c63cece76dbc8c4f260… (Patch)
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2026-48778?
- CVE-2026-48778 is a high-severity vulnerability in Notepad-Plus-Plus Notepad\+\+, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 7.8/10. Published 2026-06-26.
- How severe is CVE-2026-48778?
- High severity. CVSS v3 base score is 7.8 out of 10.
- Is CVE-2026-48778 known to be exploited?
- 2 public proof-of-concept repositories are indexed. Not currently listed in the CISA KEV catalog.