Microsoft Visual Studio Code: Remote code execution via command injection
Summary
A command injection weakness (CWE-77) in Microsoft Visual Studio Code allows an unauthenticated attacker to execute code over the network. The CVSS vector requires user interaction, so an attacker most likely needs a developer to open crafted content such as a file, repository or project. The impact on confidentiality, integrity and availability is rated high, so a successful attack could compromise the workstation and the credentials stored on it.
Affected
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.0.0 to before 1.141.1 (range from third-party trackers; to be confirmed on MSRC)
Fixed in
- Version 1.141.1 (per third-party coverage; to be confirmed on MSRC)
- Newer stable releases, such as 1.144, also contain later fixes
Workaround
- No CVE-specific workaround or mitigation is documented.
- Restrict workspace trust and avoid opening untrusted repositories or project files until patched.
- Microsoft recommends reviewing sandbox settings to limit agent access to files and networks (secondary reporting; sandboxing is not a security boundary).
Exploitation
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total.
- Not listed as known exploited (KEV). EPSS 0.007.
- No public proof of concept found.
Our recommendation
- Update Visual Studio Code on all developer and IT workstations to the latest stable build, not only 1.141.1.
- Verify the installed version on managed devices and confirm the fixed version on the MSRC advisory.
- Prioritise developer workstations, since they are the most likely target.
- Avoid opening untrusted repositories or files until the update is applied.
- Monitor for public technical details or exploitation reports.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday October 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- Microsoft MSRC Security Update Guide msrc.microsoft.com
- NVD record via Vulners vulners.com
- VS Code 1.144 release notes code.visualstudio.com
- Tenable plugin 366207 www.tenable.com
- Strix CVE details www.strix.ai
- Cystack vulnerability database cystack.net
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 31 Oct 2026, 19:06.
Original description (NVD)
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') 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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