How severe is CVE-2023-6401?

CVE-2023-6401 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.

Is CVE-2023-6401 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (25th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2023-6401?

CVE-2023-6401 affects Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2023-6401?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.

When was CVE-2023-6401 published?

CVE-2023-6401 was published on 2023-11-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2023-6401

CVE-2023-6401 is a medium-severity vulnerability in Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ with a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-427.

Key facts

Severity: Medium (CVSS 3.x base score 5.3)
CVSS v2: 4.3
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (25th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Weakness: CWE-427
Affected product: Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++
Published: 2023-11-30
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in NotePad++ up to 8.1. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file dbghelp.exe. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. An attack has to be approached locally. The identifier VDB-246421 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2023-6401?: A vulnerability classified as problematic was found in NotePad++ up to 8.1. Affected by this vulnerability is an unknown functionality of the file dbghelp.exe. The manipulation leads to uncontrolled search path. An attack has to be approached locally. The identifier VDB-246421 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
How severe is CVE-2023-6401?: CVE-2023-6401 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 5.3, rated medium severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is low, integrity low, and availability low.
Is CVE-2023-6401 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (25th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2023-6401?: CVE-2023-6401 affects Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2023-6401?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround.
When was CVE-2023-6401 published?: CVE-2023-6401 was published on 2023-11-30 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:notepad-plus-plus:notepad\+\+:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

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Other CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities

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Browse all CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) vulnerabilities →