CVE-2026-20841 · Windows Notepad App Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

How could an attacker exploit this vulnerability? An attacker could trick a user into clicking a malicious link inside a Markdown file opened in Notepad, causing the application to launch unverified protocols that load and execute both remote and local files.

According to the CVSS metric, the attack vector is local (AV:L). Why does the CVE title indicate that this is a remote code execution? The word Remote in the title refers to the location of the attacker. This type of exploit is sometimes referred to as Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE). The attack itself is carried out locally. For example, when the score indicates that the Attack Vector is Local and User Interaction is Required, this could describe an exploit in which an attacker, through social engineering, convinces a victim to download and open a specially crafted file from a website which leads to a local attack on their computer.

Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Notepad App allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.

Which versions of Windows Notepad are affected by this vulnerability? References Identification Last version of the Windows Notepad affected by this vulnerability Version 11.2504.62.0 First version of the Windows Notepad with this vulnerability addressed Version 11.2512.26.0