CVE-2026-4546: Flos Freeware Notepad2 · Uncontrolled Search Path
Affects Flos Freeware Notepad2Source CVE Database V5
Not known to be exploited · CVSS 7.3 High.
Data as of 30 Oct 2026, 06:59 UTC
- EPSS
- 0.2% chance of exploitation in 30 days – higher than 12% of CVEsExploit Prediction Scoring System: the likelihood attackers will use this flaw soon.
CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:H/AT:N/PR:L/UI:N/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:XExploitation evidence
Disclosed: evidence found.
CVE published 22 Mar 2026
Detectable: no evidence on record.
No public nuclei template indexed
Weaponized: no evidence on record.
No public exploit code indexed in Metasploit or Exploit-DB
Exploited in the wildExploited: no evidence on record.
Not in CISA KEV and no source reports exploitation
Observed by OffSeq MirageSeen by Mirage: no evidence on record.
No attack traffic recorded by OffSeq Mirage sensors
A missing step is not evidence of safety. Sources: cve.org (opens in a new tab), the Metasploit, Exploit-DB and nuclei-templates index as of 29 Oct 2026.
What to do
Affected software
| Product | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| Flos FreewareNotepad2 | Affected
| Fixed in– |
AI-suggested
Organizations should immediately audit their environments for the presence of Notepad2 version 4.2.25 and restrict its use where possible. Until a vendor patch is available, mitigation should focus on minimizing local attack surface: enforce strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local access, implement application whitelisting to block unauthorized DLLs or executables, and monitor file system changes in directories used by Notepad2 for loading libraries. Running Notepad2 with the least privilege necessary reduces impact. Consider replacing Notepad2 with alternative text editors that do not have this vulnerability. Additionally, employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect suspicious DLL loading or process behavior. Regularly check for vendor updates or community patches addressing this issue.
Description
CVE-2026-4546 is a high-severity vulnerability in Flos Freeware Notepad2 version 4.2.25 involving an uncontrolled search path in the TextShaping.dll library. This flaw allows a local attacker with limited privileges to manipulate the search path used by the application, potentially leading to the loading of malicious code. Exploitation is complex and requires local access, with no user interaction needed. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability due to high impact on these security properties. No patches or vendor responses are currently available, and no known exploits exist in the wild. Organizations using this specific version of Notepad2 should prioritize mitigation to prevent local privilege escalation or code execution risks.