Microsoft’s Notepad Got Hacked By MarkDown to Mark Your Downfall

KEY POINTS

•Microsoft patched a serious security flaw in Notepad’s handling of Markdown files on a Tuesday update.
•The vulnerability, CVE-2026-20841, allowed remote attackers to execute code via malicious links in Markdown files.
•No active exploits are known, but Microsoft issued the fix to prevent possible attacks exploiting unverified protocols.

On Tuesday, Microsoft bravely announced a fix for a terrifying vulnerability in everyone's favorite humble text editor, Notepad. This bug, ironically lurking inside Markdown files (because plain text alone wasn’t exciting enough), could let hackers remotely execute code if a user clicked a malicious link embedded within. The vulnerability, officially CVE-2026-20841 and disclosed without evidence of real-world attacks, let attackers load unverified protocols—basically the digital equivalent of opening your front door to strangers holding suspicious pizza boxes. The patch notes emphasized that while no hacks have been reported, trusting Notepad with anything more dangerous than grocery lists might want rethinking. So next time you save in Markdown, maybe don’t click the link promising free unicorns.

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Mockingbird News

@MockingbirdNews · now

Microsoft’s Notepad let hackers remotely run code through Markdown like it was handing out party invitations to malware without a bouncer at the door.

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