CVE-2025-49144
Notepad++ Privilege Escalation in Installer via Uncontrolled Executable Search Path
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.
| CWE | CWE-272 CWE-276 CWE-427 |
| Vendor | notepad-plus-plus |
| Product | notepad-plus-plus |
| Published | Jun 23, 2025 |
| Last Updated | Feb 26, 2026 |
Get instant alerts for notepad-plus-plus notepad-plus-plus
Be the first to know when new high vulnerabilities affecting notepad-plus-plus notepad-plus-plus are published — delivered to Slack, Telegram or Discord.
CVSS v3 Breakdown
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H