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CVE-2026-52886 is a path traversal and path validation bypass vulnerability in Notepad++ session management, affecting versions prior to 8.9.7. The flaw resides in handling of session.xml entries, specifically validation of the backupFilePath attribute using a raw textual prefix check based on starts_with without first normalizing the path. Because traversal sequences are not canonicalized before validation, a crafted path can satisfy the prefix check while still resolving outside the intended directory. When Notepad++ subsequently loads the manipulated session, including on the next launch in snapshot mode, it may open attacker-selected files accessible to the current user.
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No valid public exploits. Mallory filtered out 1 candidate as fakes, detection scripts, or README-only repos.
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7 sources tracked across advisories, community write-ups, and news. New activity surfaces here as Mallory finds it.
Path traversal/path validation bypass vulnerability in Notepad++ session handling via session.xml due to inadequate path validation without normalization, allowing access to arbitrary files reachable with the current user's privileges.
A Notepad++ session handling flaw involving manipulated session.xml entries that can bypass path validation checks.
A path validation bypass vulnerability in Notepad++ session handling involving manipulated session.xml entries.
A path traversal vulnerability in Notepad++ session.xml handling that can cause the editor to load attacker-targeted files into tabs on next launch in snapshot mode, enabling read-only file theft such as SSH keys and .env files.
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Cross-references every affected SKU, including bundled OEM variants.
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