CVE-2026-77605

Notepad++ “Run by system” executes *.txt.cmd when user selected *.txt (target confusion → command execution)

Published Sep 22, 2026 CVSS 3.1 · 7.8 High EPSS < 1% KEV · Not listed
Description
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, the Folder as Workspace Run by system action in Notepad++ can resolve a different sibling file than the file selected by the user. When an attacker places a command script whose name is the selected text-file path with .cmd appended, and the user invokes Run by system on the text file on Windows 10 or Windows 11, Notepad++ can execute the sibling script as the current user instead of opening the selected file. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.

Remediation

No solution or workaround provided in the CVE record

Tracking

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Advisories

No advisories available
History
Type Values Removed Values Added
Metrics ssvc

{'options': {'Automatable': 'no', 'Exploitation': 'poc', 'Technical Impact': 'total'}, 'version': '2.0.3'}

Type Values Removed Values Added
First Time appeared Notepad-plus-plus
Notepad-plus-plus notepad++
Vendors & Products Notepad-plus-plus
Notepad-plus-plus notepad++
Type Values Removed Values Added
Description Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, the Folder as Workspace Run by system action in Notepad++ can resolve a different sibling file than the file selected by the user. When an attacker places a command script whose name is the selected text-file path with .cmd appended, and the user invokes Run by system on the text file on Windows 10 or Windows 11, Notepad++ can execute the sibling script as the current user instead of opening the selected file. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.
Title Notepad++ “Run by system” executes *.txt.cmd when user selected *.txt (target confusion → command execution)
Weaknesses CWE-20
CWE-706
References
Metrics cvssV3_1

{'score': 7.8, 'vector': 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H'}

Weaknesses

Sources

Status
PUBLISHED
Assigner
GitHub_M
Published
Updated
Sep 28, 2026, 5:37 PM
Reserved
Aug 20, 2026, 8:48 PM
Status
Awaiting Analysis
Published
Sep 22, 2026, 6:17 PM
Modified
Sep 28, 2026, 6:17 PM