Code execution via noncanonical trusted-path prefix check
Published Jun 26, 2026 · Updated Jun 26, 2026
Path traversal in Notepad++ 8.9.6.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted shortcuts.xml command. The isInTrustedDirectory() check in RunDlg.cpp compares an uncanonicalized executable path against trusted-directory prefixes, so parent-directory segments pass validation before ShellExecute() resolves them elsewhere. Exploitation requires the user to invoke the injected command after attackers modify shortcuts.xml or induce Notepad++ to load attacker-controlled settings, and the payload runs with that user's privileges.
Summary
What happened
Path traversal in Notepad++ 8.9.6.1 allows local users to execute arbitrary code through a crafted shortcuts.xml command. The isInTrustedDirectory() check in RunDlg.cpp compares an uncanonicalized executable path against trusted-directory prefixes, so parent-directory segments pass validation before ShellExecute() resolves them elsewhere. Exploitation requires the user to invoke the injected command after attackers modify shortcuts.xml or induce Notepad++ to load attacker-controlled settings, and the payload runs with that user's privileges.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-52884
- Published
- Jun 26, 2026
- Updated
- Jun 26, 2026
- Vendor
- Notepad++
- Product
- Notepad++
- Classifications
- CWE-42, T1204.002
- 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
- GHSA-p58x-r3c9-x9p6 path-traversal proof of conceptproof of concept · demonstrated
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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