Microsoft Visual Studio Code: Remote code execution via untrusted search path
Summary
Visual Studio Code contains a flaw classified as an untrusted search path (CWE-426) that allows an unauthorized remote attacker to execute code on the affected system. According to the CVE record, the attacker needs the user to interact with the application (UI:R), for example by opening a crafted file, folder or link. Microsoft's CNA lists the issue as a Remote Code Execution vulnerability; the exact attack path has not been confirmed in a primary source.
Affected
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code from 1.0.0 to before 1.145.3 (per CVE record)
Fixed in
- Fixed in Visual Studio Code 1.145.3 or later (inferred from the end of the affected range; confirm the exact fixed build on the MSRC advisory or the VS Code release notes)
Workaround
- No vendor workaround found.
- Until the update is confirmed on all endpoints, update VS Code through the normal channel or the enterprise deployment tool.
Exploitation
- Exploited in the wild: no evidence found.
- Public proof of concept: none found.
- CISA KEV status: not confirmed for this CVE.
Our recommendation
- Inventory all workstations with Visual Studio Code, especially developer and admin machines.
- Update VS Code to 1.145.3 or later and verify the installed version on each endpoint.
- Check the MSRC advisory for the Exploitability section and the exact fixed build.
- Advise users not to open untrusted files, folders or links in VS Code, and monitor for unusual process activity from the editor.
Information from Microsoft (Patch Tuesday November 2026)
Public exploits
PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit and Exploit-DB list nothing for this CVE.
Research sources
- MSRC Security Update Guide: CVE-2026-70094 msrc.microsoft.com
- VS Code 1.145 release notes code.visualstudio.com
- BleepingComputer: Microsoft November 2026 Patch Tuesday www.bleepingcomputer.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 10 Nov 2026, 21:01.
Original description (NVD)
Untrusted search path 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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