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Post: A DLL hijacking bug targets Notepad++. Risk of arbitrary code execution. - Against Invaders - Notícias de CyberSecurity para humanos.
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<p><span><b><a href="https://www.redhotcyber.com/post/author/redazione/" target="_blank">Redazione RHC</a>:29 September 2025 09:14</b></span></p>
<p>A critical DLL hijacking vulnerability has been identified in Notepad++ version 8.8.3 by security researchers, with the flaw assigned <a href="https://www.redhotcyber.com/servizi/cve/?cve_id=CVE-2025-56383" target="_new _blank">CVE-2025-56383</a>.</p>
<p>The vulnerability specifically targets <strong>the Notepad++ plugin system, specifically the NppExport.dll file</strong> located in the Notepad++pluginsNppExport directory.</p>
<p>This flaw allows attackers to <strong>execute arbitrary code by replacing legitimate Dynamic Link Library (DLL) files</strong> within the application’s plugin directory with malicious versions that retain the same export functions.</p>
<p>Attackers can exploit this weakness <em>by creating a malicious DLL file with identical export functions that forward calls to the original DLL while simultaneously executing malicious code.</em></p>
<p>When users launch Notepad++, the application automatically loads these plugin DLLs, creating the opportunity for malicious code execution.</p>
<p>The attack method <strong>involves replacing the original DLL file with a counterfeit version</strong> that appears legitimate but contains embedded malicious functionality.</p>
<p>Successful exploitation of the vulnerability requires attackers <em>to have access to the local file system and be able to modify files within the Notepad++ installation directory.</em></p>
<p>While this limits the scope of the attack to scenarios where attackers already have some level of access to the system, <em>it can serve as an effective privilege escalation or persistence mechanism.</em></p>
<p>The vulnerability was assigned a <strong>CVSS 3.1 score of 7.8 (High),</strong> indicating <em>significant security implications.</em></p>
<p>The attack vector is classified as local with low complexity and requires low privileges and user interaction to succeed.</p>
<p>Security researcher zer0t0 has <a href="https://github.com/zer0t0/CVE-2025-56383-Proof-of-Concept" target="_blank">posted</a> a proof-of-concept on GitHub, showing how the vulnerability can be exploited using the NppExport.dll plugin.</p>
<p>The demonstration involves replacing the original DLL with a malicious version called original-NppExport.dll, while keeping the rogue version of NppExport.dll in its place.</p>
<p>While no official patch has been released yet, <strong>users should exercise caution when downloading Notepad++ from unofficial sources or allowing untrusted software to modify their system.</strong></p>
<p>Organizations should monitor their Notepad++ installations for unauthorized changes to plugin DLL files.</p>
<p>Since Notepad++ is still widely used in a variety of contexts, fixing this vulnerability is critical for both developers and users.</p>
<p>The vulnerability affects not only version 8.8.3, but potentially also other versions of Notepad++ that use similar plugin loading mechanisms.</p>
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<p><b><span>Redazione</span></b><br /><span>The editorial team of Red Hot Cyber consists of a group of individuals and anonymous sources who actively collaborate to provide early information and news on cybersecurity and computing in general.</span></p>
<p><a href="https://www.redhotcyber.com/post/author/redazione/" target="_blank">Lista degli articoli</a></p>
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