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Notepad++ < 8.9.6.2 Arbitrary Code Execution

🗓️ 04 Jun 2026 00:00:00Reported by TenableType 
nessus
 nessus
🔗 www.tenable.com👁 7 Views

Notepad++ older than 8.9.6.2 is vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via shortcuts.xml, bypassing the 8.9.6.1 fix (CVE-2026-48800).

Related
Refs
Code
ReporterTitlePublishedViews
Family
GithubExploit
Notepad-8.9.6-PoC
28 May 202622:25
githubexploit
GithubExploit
Exploit for CVE-2026-48800
31 May 202605:02
githubexploit
Circl
CVE-2026-48770
28 May 202612:51
circl
Circl
CVE-2026-48778
28 May 202612:51
circl
Circl
CVE-2026-48800
28 May 202612:51
circl
CVE
CVE-2026-48800
28 May 202612:51
cve
Tenable Nessus
Notepad++ < 8.9.6.1 Multiple Vulnerabilities
4 Jun 202600:00
nessus
Positive Technologies
PT-2026-44401
26 May 202600:00
ptsecurity
#%NASL_MIN_LEVEL 80900
##
# (C) Tenable, Inc.
##

include('compat.inc');

if (description)
{
  script_id(318685);
  script_version("1.3");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_modification_date", value:"2026/06/08");

  script_cve_id("CVE-2026-48800");
  script_xref(name:"IAVA", value:"2026-A-0524");

  script_name(english:"Notepad++ < 8.9.6.2 Arbitrary Code Execution");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"synopsis", value:
"A text editor on the remote Windows host is affected by an arbitrary code execution vulnerability.");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"description", value:
"The version of Notepad++ installed on the remote host is prior to 8.9.6.2. It is, therefore,
affected by an arbitrary code execution vulnerability:

  - An arbitrary code execution vulnerability exists due to improper handling of shortcuts.xml
    files. A previous fix in version 8.9.6.1 was incomplete, and a bypass scenario allows an
    attacker to still exploit this issue to execute arbitrary code. (CVE-2026-48800)

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's
self-reported version number.");
  # https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-p58x-r3c9-x9p6
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?89de4aec");
  # https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/27554/notepad-release-8.9.6.2
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"http://www.nessus.org/u?673cb8af");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"see_also", value:"https://notepad-plus-plus.org/news/v8962-released/");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"solution", value:
"Upgrade to Notepad++ version 8.9.6.2 or later.");
  script_set_cvss_base_vector("CVSS2#AV:L/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C");
  script_set_cvss_temporal_vector("CVSS2#E:U/RL:OF/RC:C");
  script_set_cvss3_base_vector("CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H");
  script_set_cvss3_temporal_vector("CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cvss_score_source", value:"CVE-2026-48800");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploitability_ease", value:"No known exploits are available");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"exploit_available", value:"false");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"vuln_publication_date", value:"2026/05/26");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"patch_publication_date", value:"2026/05/31");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_publication_date", value:"2026/06/04");

  script_set_attribute(attribute:"plugin_type", value:"local");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"cpe", value:"cpe:/a:notepad-plus-plus:notepad\+\+");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"stig_severity", value:"I");
  script_set_attribute(attribute:"thorough_tests", value:"true");
  script_end_attributes();

  script_category(ACT_GATHER_INFO);
  script_family(english:"Windows");

  script_copyright(english:"This script is Copyright (C) 2026 and is owned by Tenable, Inc. or an Affiliate thereof.");

  script_dependencies("notepad_plus_plus_win_installed.nbin");
  script_require_keys("installed_sw/Notepad++", "SMB/Registry/Enumerated");

  exit(0);
}

include('vdf.inc');

# @tvdl-content
var vuln_data = {
  'metadata': {'spec_version': '1.0'},
  'requires': [
    {'scope': 'target', 'match': {'os': 'windows'}}
  ],
  'checks': [
    {
      'product': {'name': 'Notepad++', 'type': 'app'},
      'check_algorithm': 'default',
      'constraints': [
        {'min_version': '8.9.6.1', 'fixed_version': '8.9.6.2'}
      ]
    }
  ]
};

var result = vdf::check_and_report(vuln_data:vuln_data, severity:SECURITY_WARNING);
vdf::handle_check_and_report_errors(vdf_result:result);

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08 Jun 2026 00:00Current
6.5Medium risk
Vulners AI Score6.5
7