CVE-2026-102238
CRITICAL 9.6Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code over a network.
ELEVATED IMPACT
Severe if exploited (CVSS 9.6), but no known exploitation and low modeled probability. Patch on a normal cadence.
Exploitation likelihood
0.7%chance of exploitation in 30 days · 50th percentile
○ In CISA KEV
○ Public exploit / PoC
Impact if exploited
9.6CVSS 3.1 · CRITICAL
- ConfidentialityHigh
- IntegrityHigh
- AvailabilityHigh
What an attacker needs
- ✓Access: Reachable over the network — no local access needed
- ✓Privileges: No account or privileges required
- ⚠User interaction: A user must take an action (click / open a file)
- ✓Complexity: No special conditions — reliably repeatable
✓ lowers the bar for an attacker · ⚠ raises it
Proof of concept & exploit code
- github-search Search GitHub for public PoC repos
Test against your own equipment
curl -s https://vulnpedia.com/cve/CVE-2026-102238/poc.jsonMachine-readable PoC index for this CVE (for automation).Listed for defensive triage, patch verification, and authorized testing on systems you own. Machine-readable: /cve/CVE-2026-102238/poc.json
Weakness (CWE)
- CWE-22: : Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal')
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
All CVSS metrics
- CRITICAL 9.6 v3.1 · CNA Primary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C - CRITICAL 9.6 v3.1 · NVD Secondary
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H