Microsoft Visual Studio Code: Security feature bypass through UI misrepresentation
Summary
Visual Studio Code versions from 1.0.0 before 1.145.3 contain a user interface misrepresentation of critical information. An unauthorized remote attacker can use it to bypass a security feature. The attack requires user interaction. The research notes link this CVE to a GitHub issue about malicious MCP installation links, but this mapping is not confirmed.
Affected
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.0.0 to before 1.145.3
Fixed in
- Visual Studio Code 1.145.3 or later
Workaround
- Unknown for the CVE itself. Until patching, do not open untrusted vscode:mcp/install links and review the displayed server configuration before approving an installation.
Exploitation
- No evidence of exploitation in the wild found. CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- No public proof of concept found.
- Not listed as known exploited (KEV: No, per third-party tracker).
Our recommendation
- Update Visual Studio Code to 1.145.3 or later on all endpoints, or through the managed deployment.
- Check the installed build on developer and staff workstations.
- Train staff not to approve unexpected MCP installation links.
- Monitor the MSRC advisory and NVD for updates on the analysis and the mapping.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-114171 msrc.microsoft.com
- CVE Record CVE-2026-114171 www.cve.org
- VS Code 1.145 release notes code.visualstudio.com
- GitHub issue microsoft/vscode #347430 (MCP install links) github.com
- VS Code MCP developer guide code.visualstudio.com
- Strix CVE-2026-114171 summary www.strix.ai
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 10 Nov 2026, 22:42.
Original description (NVD)
User interface (ui) misrepresentation of critical information in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature 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.
Affected? We can help.
We check whether your systems are affected, install updates and close the gap – continuously with the System Health Checker if you wish.