New Notepad Update Fixes Vault 7 Privacy Vulnerabilities

Notepad++ is one of the most popular free source text editors for its ease of use. Supporting several languages, it runs in the MS Windows ecosystem under the GPL License and uses the Win32 API and STL. That means Notepad++ has a higher execution speed and smaller file size. Security-wise, the application was among the vulnerable software programs allegedly targeted by the CIA as part of its massive surveillance program.

Developers of Notepad++ have consequently rolled out version 7.3.3 of the program to fix the vulnerability found in the Vault 7 files leaked by Wikileaks. The files contained classified documents belonging to the CIA. More specifically, Vault 7 comprised a list of popular software programs being targeted by the intelligence agency.

In addition to Notepad++, targeted programs include Google Chrome, VLC Media Player, Firefox, Opera, Kaspersky TDSS Killer, Thunderbird, LibreOffice, and Skype. While it remains unclear when the other programs would get their respective patches, the Notepad++ 7.3.3 patch is now available.

Notepad++ Patch notes

The release notes:

The hijacked DLL refers to scilexer.dll on an infected computer. The CIA allegedly built a modified scilexer.dll to replace the genuine DLL file once Notepad++ is launched. It prevents the user from detecting the data collection process while it runs in the background.

Fix CIA Hacking Notepad++ issue (https://wikileaks.org/ciav7p1/cms/page_26968090.html).
Patch mouse wheel to task list scroll crash bug.
Fix flickering issue while switching back after modifying or deleting a document from outside.
Support Motorola S-Record, Intel and Tektronix extended hex file formats.
Improve multi-line tab: maintaining the selected tab position.
Fix add char into word char list bug.
Add Shift+Enter in Find dialog for searching in the opposite direction.
Fix a regression that delimiter settings is not retained correctly.
Add clear command button in shortcut mapper.
Enhancement: file extension supported in Load/Save Session dialog if a session file extension is set.

The new update works to check the certificate validation in scilexer.dll before loading it. Otherwise, Notepad++ will fail to launch. You can download the latest patch from the Notepad++ website.

Notepad++ Patch notes#

Notepad++ Patch notes