notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ up to 8.9.6 Context Menu nppSetup.nsi INSTDIR os command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability categorized as problematic has been discovered in notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ up to 8.9.6. Affected is an unknown function of the file PowerEditor/installer/nppSetup.nsi of the component Context Menu Component. Executing a manipulation of the argument INSTDIR can lead to os command injection. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-73250. It is possible to launch the attack on the local host. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ up to 8.9.6. It has been declared as problematic. This vulnerability affects an unknown functionality of the file PowerEditor/installer/nppSetup.nsi of the component Context Menu Component. The manipulation of the argument INSTDIR with an unknown input leads to a os command injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-78. The product constructs all or part of an OS command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended OS command when it is sent to a downstream component. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.7, the Notepad++ Windows 11 x64 and ARM64 installer passes the attacker-influenced installation directory `$INSTDIR` from PowerEditor/installer/nppSetup.nsi into a PowerShell `-Command` string used by RegisterMSIX to invoke Add-AppxPackage, allowing PowerShell subexpression syntax such as `$()` in the installation path to execute commands in the installer's security context when the context menu component is selected. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.7.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-73250 since 08/11/2026. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack needs to be approached locally. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are known technical details, but no exploit is available. The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

Upgrading to version 8.9.7 eliminates this vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at EUVD (EUVD-2026-57017). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Document Reader Software

Vendor

• notepad-plus-plus

Name

• Notepad++

Version

• 8.9.0
• 8.9.1
• 8.9.2
• 8.9.3
• 8.9.4
• 8.9.5
• 8.9.6

CPE 2.3info

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CPE 2.2info

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VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

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