Notepad++ up to 8.8.8 WinGUp updater code download

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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CTI Interest Score
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6.1$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Notepad++ up to 8.8.8. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality of the component WinGUp updater. Performing a manipulation results in code download. This vulnerability is cataloged as CVE-2025-15556. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Furthermore, there is an exploit available. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as problematic, was found in Notepad++ up to 8.8.8. This affects some unknown processing of the component WinGUp updater. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a code download vulnerability. CWE is classifying the issue as CWE-494. The product downloads source code or an executable from a remote location and executes the code without sufficiently verifying the origin and integrity of the code. This is going to have an impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Notepad++ versions prior to 8.8.9, when using the WinGUp updater, contain an update integrity verification vulnerability where downloaded update metadata and installers are not cryptographically verified. An attacker able to intercept or redirect update traffic can cause the updater to download and execute an attacker-controlled installer, resulting in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user.

It is possible to read the advisory at community.notepad-plus-plus.org. This vulnerability is uniquely identified as CVE-2025-15556 since 02/02/2026. The exploitability is told to be difficult. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. No form of authentication is needed for exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details are unknown but an exploit is available. The attack technique deployed by this issue is T1495 according to MITRE ATT&CK.

It is declared as attacked. The CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog lists this issue since 02/12/2026 with a due date of 03/05/2026:

Apply mitigations per vendor instructions, follow applicable BOD 22-01 guidance for cloud services, or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Upgrading to version 8.8.9 eliminates this vulnerability. Applying the patch bcf2aa68ef414338d717e20e059459570ed6c5ab is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at github.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at Zero-Day.cz (1055), CNNVD (CNNVD-202602-526), EUVD (EUVD-2025-206661) and CERT Bund (WID-SEC-2025-2802). Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Affected

  • Open Source Notepad++

Productinfo

Type

Name

Version

License

CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CNA CVSS-B Score: 🔒
CNA CVSS-BT Score: 🔒
CNA Vector: 🔒

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 6.2
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 6.1

VulDB Base Score: 5.0
VulDB Temp Score: 4.8
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

NVD Base Score: 7.5
NVD Vector: 🔒

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Code download
CWE: CWE-494
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔒
Status: Attacked

EPSS Score: 🔒
EPSS Percentile: 🔒

KEV Added: 🔒
KEV Due: 🔒
KEV Remediation: 🔒
KEV Ransomware: 🔒
KEV Notice: 🔒

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔒

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Zero-Day.cz: 🔒

Threat Intelligenceinfo

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

Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

0-Day Time: 🔒

Upgrade: Notepad++ 8.8.9
Patch: bcf2aa68ef414338d717e20e059459570ed6c5ab

Timelineinfo

02/02/2026 CVE reserved
02/03/2026 +1 days Advisory disclosed
02/03/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
03/20/2026 +45 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: community.notepad-plus-plus.org
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2025-15556 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2025-15556
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-343839
EUVD: 🔒
CERT Bund: WID-SEC-2025-2802 - Notepad++: Schwachstelle ermöglicht Codeausführung
CNNVD: CNNVD-202602-526 - Notepad++ 安全漏洞

scip Labs: https://www.scip.ch/en/?labs.20161013

Entryinfo

Created: 02/03/2026 07:50
Updated: 03/20/2026 09:36
Changes: 02/03/2026 07:50 (69), 02/04/2026 19:34 (6), 02/04/2026 20:15 (1), 02/12/2026 20:32 (13), 02/13/2026 13:08 (7), 02/13/2026 15:26 (11), 03/20/2026 09:36 (2)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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