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Vulnerability · Published Jun 23, 2025 · Assigned by GitHub_M

CVE-2025-49144Notepad++ Privilege Escalation in Installer via Uncontrolled Executable Search Path

High 7.3

In plain English

A high-severity incorrect default permissions in notepad-plus-plus from notepad-plus-plus. There are no confirmed reports of exploitation so far. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.7% (higher than 52% of all known vulnerabilities). Ready-made attack tooling exists: public proof-of-concept code.

Severity (CVSS 3.1)7.3High
Exploit odds (30 days)0.7%top 48.3% of all CVEs
Exploited in the wildNo reportsCISA SSVC: none
Attack tooling1Public PoC

Official 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.

Affected products (as reported)

VendorProductVersions
notepad-plus-plus notepad-plus-plus < 8.8.2

Weakness: CWE-272, CWE-276, CWE-427 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References