RCE in Notepad-Plus-Plus

CVE-2026-85288

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, Notepad++ incompletely enforces shortcuts.xml HMAC validation because WM_MACRODLGRUNMACRO, the Run a Macro Multiple Times entry point, calls macroPlayback() without the validation used by command(). A tampered shortcuts.xml macro that is blocked through the Macro menu or a shortcut key can therefore execute through the multi-run dialog and invoke internal Notepad++ commands, including commands that launch external programs, in the current user context. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.

Vulnerability class: Command Injection (OS Command Injection)

Published .

CVSS v3 metric

CVSS v3 base score 6.7 (Medium). Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.

EPSS exploit prediction

No EPSS score from FIRST.org yet. New CVEs usually get one within a few days; no score means no signal yet, not low risk. How EPSS works.

Affected products

Weakness classification (CWE)

References

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-85288?
CVE-2026-85288 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Notepad-Plus-Plus, classified under OS Command Injection. CVSS score: 6.7/10. Published 2026-09-22.
How severe is CVE-2026-85288?
Medium severity. CVSS v3 base score is 6.7 out of 10.