CVE-2026-20841: CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Microsoft Windows Notepad
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Notepad App allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CWE-77) in Windows Notepad 11.0.0 arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, enabling command injection. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official patch to remediate this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to local code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. However, exploitation requires user interaction and local access, limiting the attack vector. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the provided patch from the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory to remediate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
CVE-2026-20841: CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') in Microsoft Windows Notepad
Description
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Windows Notepad App allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally.
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CWE-77) in Windows Notepad 11.0.0 arises from improper neutralization of special elements used in commands, enabling command injection. Exploitation requires local access and user interaction, allowing an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The CVSS 3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Microsoft has released an official patch to remediate this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
Successful exploitation can lead to local code execution with high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the affected system. However, exploitation requires user interaction and local access, limiting the attack vector. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft. Users and administrators should apply the provided patch from the Microsoft Security Response Center advisory to remediate this vulnerability. No additional mitigation actions are indicated by the vendor advisory.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- microsoft
- Date Reserved
- 2025-12-03T05:54:20.376Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
- Vendor Advisory Urls
- [{"url":"https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-20841","vendor":"Microsoft"}]
Threat ID: 698b75fd4b57a58fa1209f9a
Added to database: 2/10/2026, 6:16:29 PM
Last enriched: 5/12/2026, 5:09:42 AM
Last updated: 5/21/2026, 10:12:48 PM
Views: 333
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