Visual Studio Code: Path traversal allows remote code execution
Summary
Visual Studio Code versions from 1.0.0 up to 1.141.0 contain a path traversal flaw (CWE-22) that can allow remote code execution. An attacker can exploit it by getting a developer to open a crafted workspace, folder, repository or project file, and no account is required. The CNA rates it 9.6 (Critical), while the CVE record is still awaiting NVD analysis.
Affected
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.0.0 to before 1.141.1 (VulDB lists the range up to 1.141.0)
Fixed in
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.141.1 or later
- Unknown whether Linux/macOS builds or Insiders variants have separate fixed versions
Workaround
- No vendor workaround known.
- Until the update is installed, do not open untrusted workspaces, folders, repositories or project files.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild found.
- No public proof-of-concept code found.
- Not listed in the CISA KEV catalog.
Our recommendation
- Update Visual Studio Code to 1.141.1 or later, starting with developer workstations.
- Check which systems have Visual Studio Code 1.141.0 or earlier installed.
- Only open repositories and project files from trusted sources until the update is installed.
- Monitor for vendor updates and verify the details on the MSRC advisory.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide (MSRC) msrc.microsoft.com
- VulDB vuldb.com
- Strix CVE details www.strix.ai
- NT Compatible: Visual Studio Code 1.141.1 security update www.ntcompatible.com
- Tenable plugin 366207 www.tenable.com
- CyStack vulnerability database cystack.net
- OffSeq Radar radar.offseq.com
Researched and written up in English and German by an AI (Claude by Anthropic) based on NVD, CISA, EPSS and the sources listed. The vendor information is authoritative. Researched on 30 Oct 2026, 22:56.
Original description (NVD)
Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
NVD references (1)
Sources
The tracker combines official, freely usable data sources – updated continuously:
- NVD (NIST) – CVEs, rating (CVSS), affected products
- CISA KEV – vulnerabilities confirmed by CISA as actively exploited
- CISA Vulnrichment – CISA assessment (SSVC) in the official CVE record
- FIRST EPSS – probability of exploitation
- Microsoft MSRC – Patch Tuesday: vulnerabilities, severity, updates
- PoC-in-GitHub – public proof-of-concept repositories
- Metasploit (Rapid7) – modules of the Metasploit Framework
- Exploit-DB (OffSec) – archive of public exploits (links only)
- Patch days: official vendor pages (linked per vendor) (Vendor patch days)
This product uses data from the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS data © FIRST.org.
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