Visual Studio Code: Remote code execution through missing authorization
Summary
Missing authorization in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network. The flaw is rated CVSS 8.8 by Microsoft. Exploitation requires that a user opens a crafted workspace, so the risk is mainly for developers and IT staff who open third-party code. Successful code execution runs as the logged-in user and can expose source code, credentials and tokens.
Affected
- Microsoft Visual Studio Code from 1.0.0 to before 1.141.1
Fixed in
- Visual Studio Code 1.141.1 or later (released October 13, 2026)
- Confirm the fixed build in the MSRC product table
Workaround
Unknown. No vendor workaround was found.
- Keep Workspace Trust enabled and do not rely on it as the only control
- Open only repositories and project files from trusted sources until patched
Exploitation
- No exploitation known at the time of analysis
- No public proof of concept found
- CISA SSVC: exploitation none, automatable no, technical impact total
Our recommendation
- Update all Visual Studio Code installations, including per-user installs, to 1.141.1 or later
- Keep Workspace Trust enabled and avoid opening untrusted repositories
- Check the MSRC advisory and NVD for updates on the fixed build and severity
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.microsoft.com
- VulDB entry vuldb.com
- CyStack vulnerability database cystack.net
- Offseq threat radar radar.offseq.com
- Windows Forum news on CVE-2026-70098 windowsforum.com
- Tenable plugin 366207 www.tenable.com
- Strix CVE page www.strix.ai
- Vulners CVE record vulners.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 31 Oct 2026, 17:14.
Original description (NVD)
Missing authorization 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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