Arbitrary code execution via shortcuts.xml command injection
Published Jun 26, 2026 · Updated Jun 26, 2026
OS command injection in Notepad++ 8.9.6 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted shortcuts.xml file. feedUserCmds stores an unvalidated Command value, and Command::run passes that value to ShellExecute as the executable path. Exploitation requires control of the configuration file or settings directory and a user selecting the injected Run menu entry; execution occurs in that user's context and the entry can persist across reboots.
Summary
What happened
OS command injection in Notepad++ 8.9.6 and earlier allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted shortcuts.xml file. feedUserCmds stores an unvalidated Command value, and Command::run passes that value to ShellExecute as the executable path. Exploitation requires control of the configuration file or settings directory and a user selecting the injected Run menu entry; execution occurs in that user's context and the entry can persist across reboots.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-48800
- Published
- Jun 26, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Notepad++
- Product
- Notepad++
- Classifications
- CWE-78, T1059
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- unauthenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Jun 26, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jun 26, 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?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=< 8.9.6.1
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.
Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
- shortcuts.xml UserCommand calculator proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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