CVE-2025-56383
CVE-2025-56383 is a high-severity vulnerability with a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4. 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: High (CVSS 3.x base score 8.4)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (19th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2025-31376
- Weakness: CWE-427
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Notepad++ v8.8.3 has a DLL hijacking vulnerability, which can replace the original DLL file to execute malicious code. NOTE: this is disputed by multiple parties because the behavior only occurs when a user installs the product into a directory tree that allows write access by arbitrary unprivileged users.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2025-56383?
- Notepad++ v8.8.3 has a DLL hijacking vulnerability, which can replace the original DLL file to execute malicious code. NOTE: this is disputed by multiple parties because the behavior only occurs when a user installs the product into a directory tree that allows write access by arbitrary unprivileged users.
- How severe is CVE-2025-56383?
- CVE-2025-56383 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 8.4, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
- Is CVE-2025-56383 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (19th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- How do I fix CVE-2025-56383?
- 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-2025-56383 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
- Yes. CVE-2025-56383 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2025-31376.
- When was CVE-2025-56383 published?
- CVE-2025-56383 was published on 2025-09-26 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus
- https://github.com/zer0t0/CVE-2025-56383-Proof-of-Concept
- https://github.com/zer0t0/CVE-2025-56383-Proof-of-Concept/issues/1
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-56383-detect-notepad-vulnerability
- https://www.vicarius.io/vsociety/posts/cve-2025-56383-mitigate-notepad-vulnerability
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