How severe is CVE-2026-25926?

CVE-2026-25926 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-2026-25926 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (16th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2026-25926?

CVE-2026-25926 affects Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2026-25926?

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-2026-25926 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?

Yes. CVE-2026-25926 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-8123.

When was CVE-2026-25926 published?

CVE-2026-25926 was published on 2026-02-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2026-25926

CVE-2026-25926 is a high-severity vulnerability in Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ 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-426.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.3)
EPSS exploit prediction: 0% (16th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
EU (EUVD) id: EUVD-2026-8123
Weakness: CWE-426
Affected product: Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++
Published: 2026-02-19
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. An Unsafe Search Path vulnerability (CWE-426) exists in versions prior to 8.9.2 when launching Windows Explorer without an absolute executable path. This may allow execution of a malicious explorer.exe if an attacker can control the process working directory. Under certain conditions, this could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the running application. Version 8.9.2 patches the issue.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2026-25926?: Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. An Unsafe Search Path vulnerability (CWE-426) exists in versions prior to 8.9.2 when launching Windows Explorer without an absolute executable path. This may allow execution of a malicious explorer.exe if an attacker can control the process working directory. Under certain conditions, this could lead to arbitrary code execution in the context of the running application. Version 8.9.2 patches the issue.
How severe is CVE-2026-25926?: CVE-2026-25926 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-2026-25926 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 0% (16th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2026-25926?: CVE-2026-25926 affects Notepad-plus-plus Notepad++. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2026-25926?: 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-2026-25926 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?: Yes. CVE-2026-25926 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2026-8123.
When was CVE-2026-25926 published?: CVE-2026-25926 was published on 2026-02-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

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

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