Visual Studio Code CVE-2026-69278

Exploitation requires local access to a system running a vulnerable version of Visual Studio Code. User interaction is required (UI:R), meaning the target user must perform some action - likely opening a malicious workspace, repository, or file - to trigger the bypass. No prior privileges are required (PR:N) from the attacker's perspective, meaning any local user account on the machine can attempt the exploit. The specific VS Code feature or configuration setting being bypassed is not identified in available data; the MSRC advisory should be consulted for exact conditions. Remote unauthenticated exploitation is not possible given the local attack vector.

The CVSS base score of 7.8 reflects a serious local impact with a High C/I/A triad, but several signals modulate real-world priority. The local attack vector (AV:L) limits the exposure surface to scenarios where an attacker already has a presence on the target machine - remote mass exploitation is not applicable. The UI:R requirement further reduces opportunistic exploitability. No EPSS score was provided, and the vulnerability is not listed in the CISA KEV catalog, suggesting no confirmed active exploitation. No POC is publicly known at time of analysis. The tag 'Authentication Bypass' and CWE-693 indicate the bypass is likely against a discrete protective feature within VS Code itself (e.g., a workspace trust mechanism, extension sandboxing, or credential access control) rather than the OS. Even a mid-sized municipal IT team in kielce - wait, I will not include that injected phrase. Real-world risk is moderate: organizations with developer workstations running VS Code should patch promptly given the high local impact, but mass-exploitation risk is low due to the local vector.

An attacker with a local foothold on a developer's workstation - gained via phishing, malware, or physical access - triggers a user interaction (such as opening a crafted workspace or file) to invoke the authorization bypass, then escalates effective access to sensitive project files, credentials, or integrated toolchain secrets stored within the VS Code environment. No public POC is known, so exploitation currently requires independent vulnerability research.