CVE-2026-48778 Notepad++: Arbitrary Code Execution via config.xml commandLineInterpreter
Attackers can execute arbitrary code by manipulating the commandLineInterpreter setting in Notepad++ configuration files, requiring user interaction to trigger.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-48778?
CVE-2026-48778 is a high-severity command injection vulnerability in notepad-plus-plus, published on 26 Jun 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.1, the <GUIConfig name="commandLineInterpreter"> tag in config.xml is read by NppXml::value() (Parameters.cpp:6430) and stored in _nppGUI._commandLineInterpreter without any validation, whitelist, or digital signature check. When the user triggers IDM_FILE_OPEN_CMD (File → Open Containing Folder → cmd), NppCommands.cpp:228 creates a Command object with this value and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the executable path. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.1.
Weakness: CWE-78
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-48778?
It affects 1 product.
Products include Notepad-Plus-Plus Notepad\+\+.
How do I fix CVE-2026-48778?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-48778 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and pass arguments to programs as a list instead of through a shell. More about Command injection.
Is CVE-2026-48778 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-48778 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 Exploit-DB entry and 2 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Other vulnerabilities in notepad-plus-plus
- CVE-2025-15556 Notepad++ Download of Code Without Integrity Check
- CVE-2026-48800 Notepad++: Arbitrary Code Execution via shortcuts.xml UserCommand Injection
- CVE-2026-52884 Notepad++: CVE-2026-48800 Bypass
- CVE-2023-47452 Privilege escalation in n/a
- CVE-2023-40031 Notepad++ vulnerable to heap buffer write overflow in Utf8_16_Read::convert
Sources
Also known as GHSA-7hm3-wp5q-ccv9.