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How CVE-2025-26631 Works
CVE-2025-26631 is a privilege escalation vulnerability in Visual Studio Code caused by an uncontrolled search path element. When loading dynamic libraries, the application fails to properly validate DLL search paths, allowing an attacker with local access to plant a malicious DLL in a directory that VS Code searches before system folders. By exploiting this weakness, an attacker can execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges, potentially gaining full system control. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the PATH environment variable during runtime library resolution.
DailyCVE Form
Platform: Visual Studio Code
Version: Pre-1.90.0
Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation
Severity: Critical
Date: 07/03/2025
Prediction: Patch by 08/15/2025
What Undercode Say
Check vulnerable versions code --version | grep "1.8[0-9]" Simulate DLL hijack mkdir /tmp/malicious export PATH=/tmp/malicious:$PATH
How Exploit
1. Attacker places malicious DLL in writable directory
2. Manipulates PATH to prioritize malicious path
- VS Code loads attacker’s DLL instead of legitimate one
4. Arbitrary code executes with elevated privileges
Protection from this CVE
- Update to VS Code 1.90.0+
- Restrict write permissions on local directories
- Monitor DLL loading behavior
Impact
- Full system compromise
- Data theft
- Malware persistence
Sources:
Reported By: nvd.nist.gov
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
