CVE-2026-86054

HIGHCVSS 7.8/10EPSS 0.20%

Last modified

CVE-2026-86054 is a high-severity vulnerability rated 7.8/10 on the CVSS scale. Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, Notepad++ contains a stack buffer overflow in NppParameters::writeSession in PowerEditor/src/Parameters.cpp because it copies a session path derived from -settingsDir= into backupPathName[MAX_PATH] with unbounded wcscpy and appends SESSION_BACKUP_EXT with unbounded wcscat. EPSS estimates a 0.20% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days.

Description

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, Notepad++ contains a stack buffer overflow in NppParameters::writeSession in PowerEditor/src/Parameters.cpp because it copies a session path derived from -settingsDir= into backupPathName[MAX_PATH] with unbounded wcscpy and appends SESSION_BACKUP_EXT with unbounded wcscat. A sufficiently long settings directory causes the backup suffix to exceed the fixed stack buffer when Notepad++ saves the session, and the protected release build terminates through its stack canary, causing denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.

Metrics

EPSS Probability
0.20%

10.4th percentile

Probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. Learn more

Weakness Enumeration

Affected Software

Source: CNA advisory (CVE.org). NVD analysis pending.

VendorProductVersions
notepad-plus-plusnotepad-plus-plus< 8.9.8

References

Timeline

Published
Last Modified
Status
Awaiting Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2026-86054?
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.8, Notepad++ contains a stack buffer overflow in NppParameters::writeSession in PowerEditor/src/Parameters.cpp because it copies a session path derived from -settingsDir= into backupPathName[MAX_PATH] with unbounded wcscpy and appends SESSION_BACKUP_EXT with unbounded wcscat. A sufficiently long settings directory causes the backup suffix to exceed the fixed stack buffer when Notepad++ saves the session, and the protected release build terminates through its stack canary, causing denial of service. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.
How severe is CVE-2026-86054?
CVE-2026-86054 has a CVSS score of 7.8/10 (HIGH severity). The EPSS model estimates a 0.20% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
How do I fix CVE-2026-86054?
Check the vendor references and advisories linked above for patched versions and mitigation guidance. You can also run a Strix scan to test if your systems are affected.

How Strix Helps

Related CVEs from 2026

Are you affected by CVE-2026-86054?

Run a free Strix scan to check your systems for this vulnerability.

Scan your code now

Source: NVD / NIST