Process-memory read via unchecked language-detection copy
Published Aug 25, 2023 · Updated Oct 2, 2024
Heap buffer over-read in Notepad++ 8.5.6 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to expose process memory via a crafted file. FileManager::detectLanguageFromTextBegining skips whitespace to the input length, then copies 40 bytes without limiting the copy to the remaining buffer. A user must open an all-whitespace file; the proof of concept causes a memory-read exception, and no memory-disclosure exploit is demonstrated.
Summary
What happened
Heap buffer over-read in Notepad++ 8.5.6 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to expose process memory via a crafted file. FileManager::detectLanguageFromTextBegining skips whitespace to the input length, then copies 40 bytes without limiting the copy to the remaining buffer. A user must open an all-whitespace file; the proof of concept causes a memory-read exception, and no memory-disclosure exploit is demonstrated.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-40166
- Published
- Aug 25, 2023
- Updated
- Oct 2, 2024
- Vendor
- Notepad++
- Product
- Notepad++
- Classifications
- CWE-125, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Aug 25, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Oct 2, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=<= 8.5.6
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.
Public exploit references
- Crafted whitespace-file proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.
Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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