Vulnerability · Published Feb 16, 2026 · Assigned by VulDB
CVE-2026-2538Flos Freeware Notepad2 Msimg32.dll uncontrolled search path
High 7.0
In plain English
A high-severity uncontrolled search path in Notepad2 from Flos Freeware. Proof-of-concept exploit code is public. The chance it is exploited in the next 30 days is estimated at 0.2% (higher than 7% of all known vulnerabilities).
Official description
A security flaw has been discovered in Flos Freeware Notepad2 4.2.22/4.2.23/4.2.24/4.2.25. Affected is an unknown function in the library Msimg32.dll. Performing a manipulation results in uncontrolled search path. Attacking locally is a requirement. The attack's complexity is rated as high. The exploitability is told to be difficult. The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
Affected products (as reported)
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Flos Freeware | Notepad2 | 4.2.224.2.234.2.244.2.25 |
Weakness: CWE-427, CWE-426 · Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:X/RL:X/RC:R
References
- VDB-346126 | Flos Freeware Notepad2 Msimg32.dll uncontrolled search path vdb-entry
- VDB-346126 | CTI Indicators (IOB, IOC, TTP, IOA) signature, permissions-required
- Submit #749345 | flo's freeware Notepad2 4.2.25 DLL Hijacking third-party-advisory
- https://github.com/Cyber-Wo0dy/report/blob/main/notepad2/4.2.25/notepad2_dll_hijacking.md related