CVE-2026-48800
Received Received - Intake
Command Injection in Notepad++ via Malicious Shortcuts

Publication date: 2026-06-26

Last updated on: 2026-06-26

Assigner: GitHub, Inc.

Description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.1, the <Command> tag text content inside <UserDefinedCommands> in shortcuts.xml is read by NppXml::value(aNode) (Parameters.cpp:3658) in the feedUserCmds() function and stored in UserCommand._cmd without any validation. When the user clicks the corresponding entry in the Run menu, NppCommands.cpp:4264 creates a Command object with string2wstring(ucmd.getCmd()) and calls run(), which invokes ShellExecute (RunDlg.cpp:221) with the attacker-controlled string as the executable path. The injected command appears as a normal menu item in the Run menu, making it a viable persistence mechanism. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.1.
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Meta Information
Published
2026-06-26
Last Modified
2026-06-26
Generated
2026-06-27
AI Q&A
2026-06-27
EPSS Evaluated
N/A
NVD
CVE-2026-48800
Affected Vendors & Products
Showing 1 associated CPE
Vendor Product Version / Range
notepad%2b%2b notepad%2b%2b 8.9.6.1
Helpful Resources
Exploitability
CWE
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KEV
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CWE ID Description
CWE-78 The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component.
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Executive Summary

This vulnerability exists in Notepad++ versions prior to 8.9.6.1. It involves the way the application processes the <Command> tag inside <UserDefinedCommands> in the shortcuts.xml file. The text content of this tag is read and stored without any validation. When a user clicks the corresponding entry in the Run menu, the application executes the attacker-controlled command string as an executable path via ShellExecute. This means an attacker can inject malicious commands that appear as normal menu items, providing a persistence mechanism within the application.

Impact Analysis

The vulnerability can lead to high impact consequences including unauthorized code execution with high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. An attacker can inject and execute arbitrary commands when a user selects the malicious menu item, potentially leading to system compromise, data loss, or other malicious activities. Since the injected command appears as a normal menu item, it can persist and be triggered repeatedly.

Mitigation Strategies

The vulnerability is fixed in Notepad++ version 8.9.6.1. Immediate mitigation involves updating Notepad++ to version 8.9.6.1 or later.

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