Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio Code (February 2026)

high Nessus Plugin ID 298881

Synopsis

The remote host has an application installed that is missing a security update.

Description

The version of Microsoft Visual Studio Code installed on the remote Windows host is prior to 1.109.2. It is, therefore, affected by multiple vulnerabilities:

- Time-of-check time-of-use (toctou) race condition in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio allows an authorized attacker to execute code over a network. (CVE-2026-21523)

- Improper neutralization of special elements used in a command ('command injection') in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature over a network. (CVE-2026-21518)

Note that Nessus has not tested for these issues but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Update to Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.109.2 or later.

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 298881

File Name: smb_nt_ms26_feb_visual_studio_code.nasl

Version: 1.1

Type: local

Agent: windows

Family: Windows

Published: 2/12/2026

Updated: 2/12/2026

Configuration: Enable thorough checks (optional)

Supported Sensors: Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.7

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 9

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2026-21523

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 8

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:microsoft:visual_studio_code

Required KB Items: installed_sw/Microsoft Visual Studio Code, SMB/Registry/Enumerated

Patch Publication Date: 2/10/2026

Vulnerability Publication Date: 2/10/2026

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2026-21518, CVE-2026-21523

IAVA: 2026-A-0120

Detections

Analytics