notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ up to 8.9.6 Macro shortcuts.xml settingsDir privileges management

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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Current Exploit Price (≈)
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CTI Interest Score
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2.7$0-$5k0.21+

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability labeled as problematic has been found in notepad-plus-plus Notepad++ up to 8.9.6. The affected element is an unknown function of the file shortcuts.xml of the component Macro. Executing a manipulation of the argument settingsDir can lead to privileges management. This vulnerability appears as CVE-2026-71858. The attack requires local access. There is no available exploit.

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 part of the file shortcuts.xml of the component Macro. The manipulation of the argument settingsDir with an unknown input leads to a privileges management vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-269. The product does not properly assign, modify, track, or check privileges for an actor, creating an unintended sphere of control for that actor. As an impact it is known to affect integrity. CVE summarizes:

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.7, macros loaded from an attacker-controlled shortcuts.xml bypass the HMAC validation applied to UserDefinedCommands and can invoke Scintilla actions and the internal Open in Default Viewer command in an elevated Notepad++ process, allowing protected file modification and conditional elevated command execution when a local attacker influences settingsDir and a user triggers the macro. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.7.

The advisory is shared for download at github.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-71858 since 08/07/2026. 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 T1068.

By approaching the search of inurl:shortcuts.xml it is possible to find vulnerable targets with Google Hacking.

Upgrading to version 8.9.7 eliminates this vulnerability.

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

Productinfo

Type

Vendor

Name

Version

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: 2.8
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 2.7

VulDB Base Score: 2.8
VulDB Temp Score: 2.7
VulDB Vector: 🔒
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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

Exploitinginfo

Class: Privileges management
CWE: CWE-269 / CWE-266
CAPEC: 🔒
ATT&CK: 🔒

Physical: Partially
Local: Yes
Remote: Partially

Availability: 🔒
Status: Not defined
Google Hack: 🔒
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++ 8.9.7

Timelineinfo

08/07/2026 CVE reserved
08/17/2026 +10 days Advisory disclosed
08/17/2026 +0 days VulDB entry created
08/17/2026 +0 days VulDB entry last update

Sourcesinfo

Advisory: github.com
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2026-71858 (🔒)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2026-71858
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-391408

Entryinfo

Created: 08/17/2026 22:29
Changes: 08/17/2026 22:29 (70)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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