CVE-2025-24039 is an elevation of privilege vulnerability classified under CWE-427 (Uncontrolled Search Path Element) affecting Microsoft Visual Studio Code version 1.0.0. The vulnerability arises because Visual Studio Code improperly handles the search path used to locate executable components or libraries, allowing an attacker with limited privileges to insert malicious code or binaries into the search path. When the application or its components execute, the malicious code runs with elevated privileges, enabling the attacker to gain higher system rights than originally granted. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.3 reflects that the attack vector is local (AV:L), requires low attack complexity (AC:L), and limited privileges (PR:L), but does require user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). Although no exploits are currently known in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to Visual Studio Code's widespread use among developers and IT professionals. The vulnerability was reserved in January 2025 and published in February 2025, indicating recent discovery. The lack of available patches at the time of publication necessitates immediate risk mitigation through environment hardening and monitoring. This vulnerability underscores the risks associated with insecure environment configurations and the importance of controlling search paths to prevent privilege escalation.

For European organizations, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized privilege escalation on developer workstations or build servers running Visual Studio Code 1.0.0. This can result in attackers gaining control over development environments, potentially leading to source code theft, insertion of malicious code into software builds, or disruption of development operations. The compromise of developer machines can also facilitate lateral movement within corporate networks, threatening broader IT infrastructure. Organizations in sectors with high reliance on software development, such as finance, telecommunications, and manufacturing, face increased risk. The impact extends to intellectual property loss, regulatory non-compliance (e.g., GDPR if personal data is exposed), and operational downtime. Given Visual Studio Code's popularity in Europe, especially in countries with large tech sectors, the vulnerability could affect a broad range of enterprises, from startups to large corporations. The absence of known exploits suggests a window for proactive defense, but also the potential for future exploitation once exploit code becomes available.

1. Immediately identify and inventory all instances of Visual Studio Code version 1.0.0 within the organization. 2. Restrict local user permissions to the minimum necessary, preventing unauthorized modification of environment variables such as PATH. 3. Implement strict controls and validation on environment variables to ensure only trusted directories are included in search paths. 4. Employ application whitelisting and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block unauthorized binaries or scripts executed from untrusted locations. 5. Monitor system logs and behavior for unusual activity indicative of privilege escalation attempts. 6. Encourage developers to upgrade to the latest Visual Studio Code versions as soon as patches or updates addressing this vulnerability are released. 7. Use containerized or sandboxed development environments to isolate potential exploitation. 8. Conduct security awareness training focused on the risks of local privilege escalation and safe environment configuration. 9. Collaborate with IT and security teams to enforce secure software supply chain practices and environment hygiene. 10. Prepare incident response plans specifically addressing potential exploitation of local privilege escalation vulnerabilities.