Local code execution via bare-name DLL load
Published Jul 2, 2026 · Updated Jul 2, 2026
DLL search-order hijacking in Notepad3 6.25.822.1 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code through the About dialog. The About-dialog branch in src/Notepad3.c passes the bare name MSFTEDIT.DLL to LoadLibrary, allowing Windows DLL search order to select an attacker-controlled file. Exploitation requires write access to the application directory or another preferred DLL search location and user interaction to open the About dialog; the injected code runs with that user's privileges.
Summary
What happened
DLL search-order hijacking in Notepad3 6.25.822.1 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code through the About dialog. The About-dialog branch in src/Notepad3.c passes the bare name MSFTEDIT.DLL to LoadLibrary, allowing Windows DLL search order to select an attacker-controlled file. Exploitation requires write access to the application directory or another preferred DLL search location and user interaction to open the About dialog; the injected code runs with that user's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-38972
- Published
- Jul 2, 2026
- Updated
- Jul 2, 2026
- Vendor
- Unknown vendor
- Product
- Unknown product
- Classifications
- CWE-427, T1574.001
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jul 2, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 2, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.
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
- Notepad3 issue 5605 reproductionproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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