CVE-2026-2538 Flos Freeware Notepad2 Msimg32.dll uncontrolled search path
Local attackers can exploit an uncontrolled search path in Msimg32.dll to execute arbitrary code in Notepad2.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-2538?
CVE-2026-2538 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Flos Freeware Notepad2, published on 16 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
A security flaw has been discovered in Flos Freeware Notepad2 4.2.22/4.2.23/4.2.24/4.2.25. Affected is an unknown function in the library Msimg32.dll. Performing a manipulation results in uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The attack's complexity is rated as high. The exploitability is told to be difficult. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-2538?
How do I fix CVE-2026-2538?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-2538 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and resolve every user-supplied path against an allowed base folder before opening it. More about Path traversal.
Is CVE-2026-2538 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-2538 exists.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-2425-8942-cjhp.