CVE-2014-9456

Buffer overflow in NotePad++ 6.6.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a long Time attribute in an Event element in an XML file

published January 2, 2015

CVSS
—
EPSS
11%
Percentile
95.8
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

⚠️ A lengthy Time attribute in an XML file can unleash havoc in NotePad++ 6.6.9! This buffer overflow vulnerability is a sneaky way for attackers to exploit the software. ⏳ Think of it like a restaurant where one customer orders way too much food, causing the kitchen to overflow with dishes, leading to chaos! Similarly, this buffer overflow can cause unexpected behavior in the application when the data is too long. An attacker could craft an XML file that, when opened in NotePad++, could lead to unpredictable behavior, potentially crashing the application or even executing arbitrary code. While the exact impact may be unspecified, the risk of remote code execution is always a chilling thought!

Put simply

Think of it like a restaurant where one customer orders way too much food, causing the kitchen to overflow with dishes, leading to chaos! Similarly, this buffer overflow can cause unexpected behavior in the application when the data is too long. This vulnerability stems from a buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer than it can hold, potentially leading to memory corruption and exploitation. Attackers can manipulate the Time attribute in the Event element of an XML file to trigger this flaw.

What to do

An attacker could craft an XML file that, when opened in NotePad++, could lead to unpredictable behavior, potentially crashing the application or even executing arbitrary code. While the exact impact may be unspecified, the risk of remote code execution is always a chilling thought! To safeguard your system, upgrade NotePad++ to the latest version, as this vulnerability exists in version 6.6.9. Regularly review and sanitize any XML files before opening them in the application as an additional precaution. You've got this! Stay vigilant and keep your software updated to maintain your security hero status! 🛡️

The record
Technical detail
CVSS
Not scored
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.10710 · 95.8th percentile
Published
2015-01-02T20:00Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 02 JAN 20:00Z
    Buffer overflow in NotePad++ 6.6.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a long Time attribute in an Event element in an XML file
    cvelistv5