CVE-2026-48778Public exploitHinoki check available

Arbitrary code execution via unvalidated interpreter path

Published Jun 26, 2026 · Updated Jun 26, 2026

OS command injection in Notepad++ before 8.9.6.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted config.xml file. NppXml::value() accepts commandLineInterpreter without validation, and Command::run() passes it to ShellExecute as the executable path. Execution requires user interaction with Open Containing Folder in cmd after the configuration contents or settings directory become attacker-controlled.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.62%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkAvailable
Coverage for this vulnerability

See if you're affected

Explore vulnerability checks for your environment with Hinoki.

Book a demo

Summary

What happened

OS command injection in Notepad++ before 8.9.6.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted config.xml file. NppXml::value() accepts commandLineInterpreter without validation, and Command::run() passes it to ShellExecute as the executable path. Execution requires user interaction with Open Containing Folder in cmd after the configuration contents or settings directory become attacker-controlled.

The record

CVE
CVE-2026-48778
Published
Jun 26, 2026
Updated
Jun 26, 2026
Vendor
Notepad++
Product
Notepad++
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jun 26, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

Compare your product and version with the public record. A matching version still requires validation against your environment.

Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=< 8.9.6.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Notepad++ · Notepad++version=< 8.9.6.1

Published CVSS scores

7.8GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

See the directory against your own environment.

Your stack

Check the software in your environment

Book a demo to see how Hinoki identifies affected software and validates exploitability in your environment.

Book a demo