CVE-2026-52885
Public exploit code is available. Proof-of-concept or working exploit code for CVE-2026-52885 is indexed in GitHub PoC. Expect opportunistic scanning and exploitation attempts — prioritize remediation even though it is not (yet) in the CISA KEV catalog.
Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. Prior to 8.9.6.4, NppCommands.cpp checks the HMAC of the on-disk shortcuts.xml at the moment a user command fires (Time-of-Check). However, the command payload is taken from the in-memory _userCommands vector, which is populated at application startup and never re-synchronized with the on-disk file (Time-of-Use). Swapping shortcuts.xml between startup and command execution causes the HMAC check to validate a clean file while a malicious command runs. An attacker with write access to shortcuts.xml places a malicious version on disk before launch, then immediately restores the legitimate file. The HMAC check at execution time validates the restored legitimate file (check passes), while the malicious payload executes from memory. This vulnerability is fixed in 8.9.6.4.
⚡ Watch CVE-2026-52885
Get an email if CVE-2026-52885 is added to CISA KEV, gains public exploit code, or a new advisory cites it — max one per day, one-click unsubscribe.
Exploitation outlook
- Low exploitation risk0.13% 30-day exploitation probability — currently an unlikely target, but scores change as exploit code circulates. Riskier than 3% of all EPSS-scored CVEs.
Exploit availability
Public exploit or proof-of-concept code for CVE-2026-52885 is indexed in these free datasets. Available exploit code raises real-world risk independent of the CVSS score.
- GitHub PoCPublic proof-of-concept repositories on GitHub reference this CVE.look it up ↗
Advisory coverage (1)
External references
Embed the live status
— this badge updates automatically when the KEV or exploit status changes. How to embed it →
[](https://www.csirts.com/cve/CVE-2026-52885)