CVE-2026-64813 in IntelliJ IDEA
Summary
by MITRE • 07/23/2026
In JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA before 2026.2 unauthorized settings modification was possible in a Remote Development session
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2026
JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA versions prior to 2026.2 contained a critical security vulnerability that allowed unauthorized modification of settings during Remote Development sessions, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. This vulnerability specifically affected the remote development functionality where developers connect to remote hosts for coding and development activities, typically through SSH connections or container environments. The flaw stemmed from insufficient access controls and validation mechanisms within the remote session management system, enabling attackers who had gained access to the remote development environment to manipulate configuration settings that should have been restricted to authorized users only.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involved a lack of proper authentication checks when processing setting modifications within the remote development context. When users initiated Remote Development sessions in older IntelliJ IDEA versions, the application failed to properly validate whether the requesting user had appropriate privileges to modify specific settings, particularly those related to security configurations, network access, or environment variables. This weakness allowed for privilege escalation scenarios where unauthorized parties could alter critical configuration parameters that might compromise the integrity of the remote development environment. The vulnerability was categorized under CWE-284: Improper Access Control, which specifically addresses inadequate access control mechanisms in software applications. From an operational perspective, this flaw created a pathway for attackers to potentially establish persistent access, modify security policies, or create backdoors within the remote development infrastructure.
The impact of this vulnerability extended beyond simple configuration changes, as it could enable attackers to manipulate network settings, modify security certificates, alter user permissions, and potentially gain deeper access to underlying systems. Remote Development sessions often involve sensitive corporate environments where developers work with confidential code repositories and production-like systems, making unauthorized setting modifications particularly dangerous. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to disable security features, redirect network traffic, or modify environment variables that would affect the execution of applications within the remote session. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1078: Valid Accounts and T1566: Phishing, as it could be leveraged in conjunction with other attack vectors to maintain access and escalate privileges within development environments. Organizations utilizing IntelliJ IDEA for remote development were particularly at risk since the vulnerability was present in widely used versions that many companies had not yet upgraded from.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability required immediate application of JetBrains' security patches released in version 2026.2, which addressed the access control deficiencies through enhanced authentication checks and proper validation of user permissions during remote session operations. System administrators should have implemented comprehensive monitoring of Remote Development sessions to detect unauthorized configuration changes, while also enforcing strict network segmentation and access controls around development environments. Additional protective measures included disabling unnecessary remote development features for users who did not require them, implementing multi-factor authentication for remote access, and regularly auditing configuration settings within development environments. The vulnerability highlighted the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions in development environments, as outdated tools often contain known security flaws that attackers actively exploit. Organizations should have also considered implementing network-based intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for suspicious activity related to remote development sessions and configuration modifications.