CVE-2026-47285 in Visual Studio Code
Summary
by MITRE • 08/11/2026
Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to disclose information over a network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/11/2026
Command injection vulnerabilities occur when untrusted input is incorporated into system commands without proper sanitization or validation, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. This particular vulnerability exists within Visual Studio Code's handling of commands that are passed to underlying operating system processes, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the development environment. The flaw manifests when the IDE accepts user-supplied data and directly incorporates it into shell commands or system calls without adequate input validation or escaping mechanisms. Attackers can leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's machine, potentially gaining access to sensitive information, modifying files, or establishing persistent access to the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability typically involves scenarios where Visual Studio Code processes user input within command-line operations, script execution contexts, or external tool integrations. When developers create custom tasks, debug configurations, or use extensions that interact with system commands, the application may inadvertently pass unvalidated user data directly to shell interpreters. This pattern violates fundamental security principles and creates opportunities for attackers to inject malicious payloads that can execute with the privileges of the user running Visual Studio Code. The vulnerability specifically relates to CWE-77 which categorizes improper neutralization of special elements used in a command, making it a classic example of how insufficient input sanitization can lead to remote code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass full system compromise when attackers can execute commands with elevated privileges. An attacker who successfully exploits this weakness could potentially access source code repositories, extract sensitive configuration files, install backdoors, or use the compromised development environment as a pivot point for attacking other systems within the network perimeter. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where developers often run Visual Studio Code with administrative privileges or have access to critical infrastructure components through integrated tools and extensions.
Mitigation strategies must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security practices within development environments. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all user-supplied data that may be used in system commands, ensuring that special characters are properly escaped or removed before command execution. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running Visual Studio Code with minimal required permissions rather than administrative privileges. Regular updates to the IDE and its extensions help protect against known vulnerabilities, while security awareness training can prevent developers from inadvertently creating exploitable scenarios through unsafe coding practices. Additionally, network monitoring solutions can detect suspicious command execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and implementing secure coding guidelines aligned with OWASP Top Ten recommendations can help prevent similar issues in future development work. The vulnerability highlights the importance of validating all external inputs and following secure coding practices as outlined in NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 standards for information security management.