CVE-2014-9456: Buffer overflow in NotePad++ 6.6.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a long Time attribut

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HIGH 10.0DOWNGRADE

CVE-2014-9456 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 10.0) affecting notepad\+\+. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Buffer overflow in NotePad++ 6.6.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a long Time attribute in an Event element in an XML file. NOTE: this issue was originally incorrectly mapped to CVE-2014-1004; see CVE-2014-1004 for more information.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	10.0 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	10.7% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2015-01-02
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: don ho

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2015-01-02 20:59 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 00:18 UTCUpdated Record last modified

don ho notepad\+\+ DOWNGRADE

Affected: 6.6.9

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 6.6.9

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy notepad++ || rpm -q notepad++ || notepad++ --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 6.6.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison notepad++ sudo apt install notepad++=<VERSION_BEFORE_6.6.9> sudo apt-mark hold notepad++

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list notepad++ sudo dnf downgrade notepad++-<VERSION_BEFORE_6.6.9> sudo dnf versionlock add notepad++

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: Notepad++ 6.6.9 - Buffer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2014-9456?

notepad\+\+: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2014-9456 being exploited?

CVE-2014-9456 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2014-9456 affect?

CVE-2014-9456 affects notepad\+\+. Severity is high (CVSS 10.0). Buffer overflow in NotePad++ 6.6.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a long Time attribute in an Event element in an XML file. NOTE: this issue was originally incorrectly mapped to CVE-2014-1004; see CVE-2014-1004 for

How urgent is CVE-2014-9456?

Priority 64/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Software pages

Notepad++ vulnerabilities

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-5525 MEDIUM 6.0 DOWNGRADE A stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability exists in Notepad++ version 8.9.3 in the file drop handler compone
CVE-2022-31902 MEDIUM 5.5 UPGRADE Notepad++ v8.4.1 was discovered to contain a stack overflow via the component Finder::add().
CVE-2026-48800 HIGH 7.8 UPGRADE Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor
CVE-2026-52885 MEDIUM 6.3 UPGRADE Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor
CVE-2026-52884 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor

References

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