# CVE-2026-85995: Notepad++: Authenticode verification bypass allows modified updater execution

CVE-2026-85995 is fixed in Notepad++ on 1 platform by Notepad++ 8.9.8 (version 8.9.8), released August 23, 2026. It is not reported as exploited. Patch Radar priority: High.

- Web page: https://patchblox.com/security/cve/CVE-2026-85995
- Priority: High
- CVSS: 7.3
- EPSS: 0.0012
- CISA KEV: not listed
- Exploited (vendor report): no
- Publicly disclosed: no
- Published: Sep 22, 2026
- Weakness: CWE-347: Improper Verification of Cryptographic Signature
- Vendor advisory: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-85995

## Description

Notepad++ is a free and open-source source code editor. From 8.9.7 until 8.9.8, the Notepad++ updater and signature verification path can accept a modified GUP.exe file whose embedded certificate metadata remains present even though its Authenticode digest is invalid. An attacker who can replace or plant the updater-related file can cause Notepad++ to launch attacker-modified code when a user triggers the updater path, but the issue does not provide remote code execution by itself. This issue is fixed in version 8.9.8.

## Where it's fixed

| Platform | Product | Fixed in | Fix | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows apps | Notepad++ | 8.9.8 | [Notepad++ 8.9.8](https://patchblox.com/security/data/fix/windows-app/notepad-.notepad-8.9.8.md) | Aug 23, 2026 |

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Data as of 2026-11-08T06:59:42Z UTC. Source: Patchblox Patch Radar (https://patchblox.com/security/patch-radar). Patchblox finds out-of-date software on Windows, macOS and Linux and updates it through release rings: https://patchblox.com/demo

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