CVE-2026-38972: Notepad3 through 6.25.822.1 contains a DLL search-order hijacking vulnerability in the About-dialog code path

Q: How do I fix CVE-2026-38972?

notepad3: upgrade to newer than 6.25.822.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2026-38972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-38972 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2026-38972 affect?

CVE-2026-38972 affects notepad3. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). 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

Q: How urgent is CVE-2026-38972?

Priority 34/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

Routine

HIGH 7.8UPGRADE

CVE-2026-38972 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting notepad3. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

High severity
Public exploit reference

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.2% (top 91%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-427
Published	2026-07-02
Last modified	2026-07-08

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: rizonesoft

Last updated 2026-07-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-07-02 21:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-07-08 18:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

rizonesoft notepad3 UPGRADE

Affected: <= 6.25.822.1

Fixed in: newer than 6.25.822.1

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy notepad3 || rpm -q notepad3 || notepad3 --version

2. UPGRADE to newer than 6.25.822.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade notepad3

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade notepad3

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

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-2026-38972?

notepad3: upgrade to newer than 6.25.822.1. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2026-38972 being exploited?

CVE-2026-38972 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-2026-38972 affect?

CVE-2026-38972 affects notepad3. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). 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

How urgent is CVE-2026-38972?

Priority 34/100. High severity; Public exploit reference

References

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