CVE-2026-48778

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

HIGH
7.8
CVSS Score
Published: June 26, 2026 at 08:21 PM UTC
Updated: July 1, 2026 at 11:22 PM UTC
2 products affected across 1 vendorNotepad++Plus Plus Notepad

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Severity
HIGH7.8
Exploit prediction
EPSS 0.6%
SSVC
PoC

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.

Affected

Our own answer: ranges merged, affected separated from platform-only, with confidence and review flags.

v < 8.9.6.1
Affected range stops below 8.9.6.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement
v < 8.9.6.1
Affected range stops below 8.9.6.1, so it looks safe — our inference, not a vendor statement

Remediation

No guide yet

No remediation guidance has been written for this CVE yet. What the record does show:

SSVC — Action Prioritization

SSVCPoCNot automatableTotal impact

SSVC signals action urgency (what to patch first), separate from CVSS which measures severity.

CVSS

7.8HIGHGitHub_M
Attack Vector
LOCAL
Complexity
LOW
Privileges
NONE
User Interaction
REQUIRED
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
HIGH
Integrity
HIGH
Availability
HIGH
Vector?

Quick Info

StatusANALYZED
CWE
CWE-78

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