CVE-2026-48800
Notepad++: Arbitrary Code Execution via shortcuts.xml UserCommand Injection
Description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.1, the <Command> tag text content inside <UserDefinedCommands> in shortcuts.xml is read by NppXml::value(aNode) (Parameters.cpp:3658) in the feedUserCmds() function and stored in UserCommand._cmd without any validation. When the user clicks the corresponding entry in the Run menu, NppCommands.cpp:4264 creates a Command object with string2wstring(ucmd.getCmd()) and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the executable path. The injected command appears as a normal menu item in the Run menu, making it a viable persistence mechanism. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.1.
INFO
Published Date :
June 26, 2026, 9:16 p.m.
Last Modified :
June 30, 2026, 5:19 a.m.
Remotely Exploit :
No
Source :
[email protected]
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS | 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0 | |||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Update Notepad++ to version 8.9.6.1.
- Review and sanitize shortcuts.xml.
- Avoid loading untrusted configuration files.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2026-48800 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2026-48800.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/6b3dc52a9245c6d8c6287a8d6d93a30981c05feb | Patch |
| https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-3x3f-3j39-pj3v | Exploit Patch Vendor Advisory |
| https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-3x3f-3j39-pj3v | Exploit Patch Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2026-48800 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2026-48800
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
📡 PoC auto collect from GitHub. ⚠️ Be careful Malware.
security cve exploit poc vulnerability
Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2026-48800 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2026-48800 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
CVE Modified by 134c704f-9b21-4f2e-91b3-4a467353bcc0
Jun. 30, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-3x3f-3j39-pj3v Added SSVC {'id': 'CVE-2026-48800', 'role': 'CISA Coordinator', 'options': [{'exploitation': 'poc'}, {'automatable': 'no'}, {'technicalImpact': 'total'}], 'version': '2.0.3', 'timestamp': '2026-06-30T03:34:44.249103Z'} -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
Jun. 29, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:notepad-plus-plus:notepad++:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 8.9.6.1 Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/6b3dc52a9245c6d8c6287a8d6d93a30981c05feb Types: Patch Added Reference Type GitHub, Inc.: https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-3x3f-3j39-pj3v Types: Exploit, Patch, Vendor Advisory -
New CVE Received by [email protected]
Jun. 26, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'notepad-plus-plus', 'product': 'notepad-plus-plus', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '< 8.9.6.1'}]}] Added Description Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.1, the <Command> tag text content inside <UserDefinedCommands> in shortcuts.xml is read by NppXml::value(aNode) (Parameters.cpp:3658) in the feedUserCmds() function and stored in UserCommand._cmd without any validation. When the user clicks the corresponding entry in the Run menu, NppCommands.cpp:4264 creates a Command object with string2wstring(ucmd.getCmd()) and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the executable path. The injected command appears as a normal menu item in the Run menu, making it a viable persistence mechanism. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.1. Added CVSS V3.1 AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Added CWE CWE-78 Added Reference https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/6b3dc52a9245c6d8c6287a8d6d93a30981c05feb Added Reference https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-3x3f-3j39-pj3v