CVE-2025-15556
What it 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.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network without logging in, but needs a user to act. High risk of data exposure, data tampering, service disruption.
- In the wild
- CISA lists this as exploited in real attacks. Treat as urgent.
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- ReservedThe CVE id was reserved by its CNA
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- 2026-02-12 Exploited in the wildAdded to CISA's Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list
- 2026-03-05 Remediation deadlineCISA's due date for federal agencies to fix it
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: yes, CISA lists it. This puts it above everything that is not.
- Exploit odds: 1.7% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 7.7 HIGH (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Added to CISA KEV
- 2026-02-12
- Exploit probability
- 1.7% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-494
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- notepad-plus-plus notepad\+\+ < 8.8.9
Attack profile CVSS 4.0 · 7.7
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- High
- Attack requirements
- None
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Passive
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Raw vector
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:H/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X
Is it in your code?
Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.
Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2025-15556.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2025-15556. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/bcf2aa68ef414338d717e20e059459570ed6c5ab
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/wingup/commit/ce0037549995ed0396cc363544d14b3425614fdb
- https://notepad-plus-plus.org/news/hijacked-incident-info-update/
- https://notepad-plus-plus.org//news//clarification-security-incident/
References
- https://community.notepad-plus-plus.org/topic/27298/notepad-v8-8-9-vulnerability-fix
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/notepad-plus-plus/commit/bcf2aa68ef414338d717e20e059459570ed6c5ab
- https://github.com/notepad-plus-plus/wingup/commit/ce0037549995ed0396cc363544d14b3425614fdb
- https://notepad-plus-plus.org/news/hijacked-incident-info-update/
- https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/notepad-plus-plus-wingup-updater-lacks-update-integrity-verification
- https://notepad-plus-plus.org//news//clarification-security-incident/
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2025-15556