How severe is CVE-2025-49144?

CVE-2025-49144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2025-49144 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

How do I fix CVE-2025-49144?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

Does CVE-2025-49144 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2025-49144 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-19601.

When was CVE-2025-49144 published?

CVE-2025-49144 was published on 2025-06-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2025-49144

CVE-2025-49144 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3. 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-272.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (34th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-19601
Weakness: CWE-272
Published: 2025-06-23
Last modified: 2026-06-17

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2025-49144?: 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.
How severe is CVE-2025-49144?: CVE-2025-49144 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.3, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2025-49144 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (34th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2025-49144?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
Does CVE-2025-49144 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2025-49144 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-19601.
When was CVE-2025-49144 published?: CVE-2025-49144 was published on 2025-06-23 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Other CWE-272 vulnerabilities

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