CVE-2026-38972
Last modified
CVE-2026-38972 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Notepad3 through 6.25.822.1 contains a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability in the About-dialog code path in src/Notepad3.c. The application calls LoadLibrary(L"MSFTEDIT.DLL") with a bare DLL name, which allows a local attacker to place a malicious MSFTEDIT.DLL in the application directory or another preferred DLL search location and achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the user when the About dialog is opened.. EPSS estimates a 0.15% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.
Description
Notepad3 through 6.25.822.1 contains a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability in the About-dialog code path in src/Notepad3.c. The application calls LoadLibrary(L"MSFTEDIT.DLL") with a bare DLL name, which allows a local attacker to place a malicious MSFTEDIT.DLL in the application directory or another preferred DLL search location and achieve arbitrary code execution in the context of the user when the About dialog is opened.
Metrics
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness Enumeration
Affected Software
| Vendor | Product | Versions |
|---|---|---|
| Rizonesoft | Notepad3 | <= 6.25.822.1 |
References
- https://github.com/rizonesoft/Notepad3/issues/5605Exploit, Issue Tracking
- https://github.com/rizonesoft/Notepad3/pull/5606Issue Tracking, Patch
- https://github.com/rizonesoft/Notepad3/issues/5605Exploit, Issue Tracking
Timeline
- Published
- Last Modified
- Status
- Analyzed
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How Strix Helps
- How Strix found a critical auth bypass in etcdStrix autonomously discovered a critical authentication bypass in etcd, later designated CVE-2026-33413.
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