Description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. In versions 8.8.1 and prior, a privilege escalation vulnerability exists in the Notepad++ v8.8.1 installer that allows unprivileged users to gain SYSTEM-level privileges through insecure executable search paths. An attacker could use social engineering or clickjacking to trick users into downloading both the legitimate installer and a malicious executable to the same directory (typically Downloads folder - which is known as Vulnerable directory). Upon running the installer, the attack executes automatically with SYSTEM privileges. This issue has been fixed and will be released in version 8.8.2.
Problem types
CWE-272: Least Privilege Violation
CWE-276: Incorrect Default Permissions
CWE-427: Uncontrolled Search Path Element
Product status
References
www.vicarius.io/...e-2025-49144-detect-notepad-vulnerability
www.vicarius.io/...2025-49144-mitigate-notepad-vulnerability
github.com/...s-plus/security/advisories/GHSA-9vx8-v79m-6m24
github.com/...ommit/f2346ea00d5b4d907ed39d8726b38d77c8198f30
drive.google.com/...olders/11yeUSWgqHvt4Bz5jO3ilRRfcpQZ6Gvpn
Data based on CVE®. Copyright © 1999-2025, The MITRE Corporation. All rights reserved.
