Microsoft Visual Studio command injection

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability described as critical has been identified in Microsoft Visual Studio. Affected by this issue is some unknown functionality. Executing a manipulation can lead to command injection. This vulnerability is registered as CVE-2026-21256. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. No exploit is available. Applying a patch is advised to resolve this issue.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability has been found in Microsoft Visual Studio (unknown version) and classified as critical. This vulnerability affects an unknown code block. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a command injection vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-77. The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. CVE summarizes:

Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.

The weakness was published 02/10/2026 as confirmed security update guide (Website). The advisory is shared for download at msrc.microsoft.com. This vulnerability was named CVE-2026-21256. The exploitation appears to be easy. The attack can be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is required for a successful exploitation. Successful exploitation requires user interaction by the victim. There are neither technical details nor an exploit publicly available. The current price for an exploit might be approx. USD $0-$5k (estimation calculated on 02/14/2026). The MITRE ATT&CK project declares the attack technique as T1202.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 298992 (Security Updates for Microsoft Visual Studio Products (February 2026)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment.

Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. A possible mitigation has been published immediately after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (298992). VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Productinfo

Type

• Programming Tool Software

Vendor

• Microsoft

Name

• Visual Studio

License

• commercial

Website

• Vendor: https://www.microsoft.com/

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.

Discussion