Notepad++ v8.8.9 fixed an updater vulnerability that could let an attacker who intercepted or redirected update traffic deliver and run a malicious installer. If you use Notepad++, check your installed version and update using the current official download page and guidance. The vulnerability does not mean every older installation was attacked.
What the Notepad++ updater flaw did
The vulnerability, tracked as CVE-2025-15556, affected Notepad++ versions before 8.8.9 that used WinGUp, the application’s updater. According to the advisory, those versions did not cryptographically verify downloaded update metadata and installers. An attacker able to intercept or redirect update traffic could therefore make the updater download and execute an attacker-controlled installer with the current user’s privileges.
The GitHub Advisory Database maps the issue to CWE-494, “Download of Code Without Integrity Check,” and assigns it a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.7, rated high. The listed vector includes network access, high attack complexity, no privileges required, and passive user interaction. That score characterizes the vulnerability; it is not a measure of how many people were attacked.
What v8.8.9 changed
Notepad++ v8.8.9 added certificate and signature verification for downloaded update installers. Maintainer Don Ho described the change as: “Vulnerability-fix: verify certificate & signature on downloaded update installer.” See the v8.8.9 release announcement for the release details.
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The release discussion also records a historical correction: an initial v8.8.9 MSI build retained the 8.8.8 version number, after which a corrected signed MSI was provided and the download-page GPG signature and SHA-256 hash were updated. This was a release correction, not evidence that the corrected installer remains problematic. Use the current official download page rather than relying on an old saved installer or checksum.
How the vulnerability differs from the hosting compromise
The updater flaw and the later-reported hosting incident are related but distinct security issues. CVE-2025-15556 concerns weak integrity validation in older updater versions. Separately, Unit 42 reported that attackers compromised official hosting infrastructure from June to December 2025, selectively redirected update traffic, and supplied malicious manifests and installers. Unit 42 described multiple malware delivery chains and targeted victims across sectors and regions.
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| Issue | Root cause and path | What the evidence establishes | Response |
|---|---|---|---|
| Updater vulnerability (CVE-2025-15556) | Older WinGUp versions did not verify downloaded update metadata and installers; an attacker able to intercept or redirect traffic could cause a malicious installer to run. | The advisory identifies affected versions as those before 8.8.9. It does not show that every affected installation was exploited. | Install a patched version using the current official download page and follow current security guidance. |
| Hosting infrastructure incident | Unit 42 reported a compromise of hosting infrastructure and selective redirection of update traffic. | Unit 42 described observed campaign activity and targeted victims; the report does not establish a complete count of affected users. | Follow current official guidance. Organizations with potential exposure should investigate relevant endpoint and network evidence. |
What to do if you use Notepad++
- Check the installed version. In Notepad++, open ? > About Notepad++ and note the version shown.
- Update from the current official source. Visit the official Notepad++ download page, select the current release for your system, and follow the instructions there. Unit 42’s February 11, 2026 report recommended manually downloading and installing v8.9.1 at that time; versions and guidance can change, so check the current page rather than treating that dated recommendation as the latest release.
- If you suspect an update was malicious, respond to the evidence. For a personal device, avoid running any saved installer of uncertain origin and seek trusted technical support. Organizations should use their incident-response process to examine endpoint and network evidence. The available reports do not provide a universal consumer cleanup procedure or a reliable list of affected individuals.
Unit 42 also reported that the website had migrated to a more secure hosting provider. That infrastructure change is separate from installing the updater fix: users should still keep the application current and follow official guidance.
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