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CVE-2025-49144

Notepad++ Privilege Escalation in Installer via Uncontrolled Executable Search Path

7.3 HighPublic exploit

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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Local
Complexity
Low
Privileges needed
Low
User interaction
Required

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

Exploit likelihood

0.66%Up 0.6 points since Jun 24, 2025
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 7.3

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.

Record
CVE-2025-49144
CVSS 3.1
7.3 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-272, CWE-276, CWE-427
Updated
2026-11-03
EUVDEUVD-2025-19601 7.3

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.

Record
EUVD-2025-19601
CVSS 3.1
7.3 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-03
NVD 7.3

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.

Record
CVE-2025-49144
CVSS 3.1
7.3 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-272, CWE-276, CWE-427
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 7.3

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.

Record
CVE-2025-49144
CVSS 3.1
7.3 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-272, CWE-276, CWE-427
Updated
2026-11-04

Affected products

Public exploits

Links only. Every CVE stores no exploit code.

Public exploits
SourceLinkDate
PoC in GitHubVr00mm/CVE-2025-491442025-06-24
PoC in GitHubTheTorjanCaptain/CVE-2025-49144_PoC2025-06-25
PoC in GitHubassad12341/notepad-v8.8.1-LPE-CVE-2025-06-26
PoC in GitHubb0ySie7e/Notepad-8.8.1_CVE-2025-491442025-06-29
PoC in GitHubGiZcesi/HJregsvr322025-07-02
PoC in GitHubtimsonner/CVE-2025-49144-Research2025-07-02
PoC in GitHubonniio/CVE-2025-491442025-09-17
PoC in GitHubhavertz2110/CVE-2025-49144-PoC2025-11-04

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
exploits, factsCVE List, EUVD
first indexedCVE List, EUVD, NVD, OSV, PoC in GitHub

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2025-49144 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.3) in Notepad-plus-plus, published June 23, 2025. Public exploit code exists. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.66%, the 51st percentile. No source names a fixed version.

References

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