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.
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Thu, 23 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0000
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Wed, 16 Jul 2025 13:45:00 +0000
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epss
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Mon, 23 Jun 2025 20:15:00 +0000
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Mon, 23 Jun 2025 19:15:00 +0000
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| 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. | |
| Title | Notepad++ Privilege Escalation in Installer via Uncontrolled Executable Search Path | |
| Weaknesses | CWE-272 CWE-276 CWE-427 |
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cvssV3_1
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Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: GitHub_M
Published: 2025-06-23T19:01:16.276Z
Updated: 2025-10-23T13:28:31.018Z
Reserved: 2025-06-02T10:39:41.634Z
Link: CVE-2025-49144
Updated: 2025-10-23T13:28:31.018Z
Status : Awaiting Analysis
Published: 2025-06-23T19:15:23.727
Modified: 2025-10-23T14:15:35.980
Link: CVE-2025-49144
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