Notepad++ up to 8.5.6 HandleOneChar buffer overflow

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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5.8$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as critical has been detected in Notepad++ up to 8.5.6. This vulnerability affects the function CharDistributionAnalysis::HandleOneChar. Performing a manipulation results in buffer overflow. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2023-40036. Remote exploitation of the attack is possible. No exploit is available. You should upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Notepad++ up to 8.5.6 (Document Reader Software). It has been classified as critical. This affects the function CharDistributionAnalysis::HandleOneChar. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a buffer overflow vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-120. The product copies an input buffer to an output buffer without verifying that the size of the input buffer is less than the size of the output buffer, leading to a buffer overflow. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Versions 8.5.6 and prior are vulnerable to global buffer read overflow in `CharDistributionAnalysis::HandleOneChar`. The exploitability of this issue is not clear. Potentially, it may be used to leak internal memory allocation information. As of time of publication, no known patches are available in existing versions of Notepad++.

The weakness was published 08/26/2023 as GHSL-2023-092. The advisory is shared at securitylab.github.com. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2023-40036 since 08/08/2023. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available.

Upgrading to version 8.5.7 eliminates this vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 5.9
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 5.8

VulDB Base Score: 6.3
VulDB Temp Score: 6.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA Base Score: 5.5
CNA Vector (GitHub, Inc.): 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VectorComplexityAuthenticationConfidentialityIntegrityAvailability
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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
VulDB Temp Score: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

Exploitinginfo

Class: Buffer overflow
CWE: CWE-120 / CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
Active Actors: 🔍
Active APT Groups: 🔍

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔍

Upgrade: Notepad++ 8.5.7

Timelineinfo

08/08/2023 🔍
08/25/2023 +17 days 🔍
08/26/2023 +0 days 🔍
02/03/2026 +892 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: GHSL-2023-092
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2023-40036 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2023-40036
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-238065

Entryinfo

Created: 08/26/2023 01:26
Updated: 02/03/2026 16:17
Changes: 08/26/2023 01:26 (49), 02/03/2026 16:14 (2), 02/03/2026 16:17 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Committer: lywand
Cache ID: 216::103

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