CVE-2026-45482: CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension
Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-45482) affects Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension version 0.27.0. It is classified as CWE-22, indicating improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as a path traversal flaw. This allows an unauthorized local attacker to access files or directories outside of the intended restricted scope by manipulating file path inputs. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, reflected in a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). Microsoft has issued an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
An attacker with local access can exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and access or modify files outside the intended directories. This can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems running the vulnerable extension version.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft for this vulnerability. Users should update the Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension to the patched version to remediate this issue. Since an official fix exists, applying the update is the recommended mitigation.
CVE-2026-45482: CWE-22: Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory ('Path Traversal') in Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension
Description
Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.
CVSS v3.1
Score 8.4high
Affected software
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
This vulnerability (CVE-2026-45482) affects Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension version 0.27.0. It is classified as CWE-22, indicating improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as a path traversal flaw. This allows an unauthorized local attacker to access files or directories outside of the intended restricted scope by manipulating file path inputs. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, reflected in a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.4 (AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H). Microsoft has issued an official fix for this vulnerability.
Potential Impact
An attacker with local access can exploit this vulnerability to bypass security restrictions and access or modify files outside the intended directories. This can lead to full compromise of confidentiality, integrity, and availability of affected systems running the vulnerable extension version.
Mitigation Recommendations
An official fix is available from Microsoft for this vulnerability. Users should update the Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension to the patched version to remediate this issue. Since an official fix exists, applying the update is the recommended mitigation.
Technical Details
- Gcve Source
- db.gcve.eu
- Csaf Category
- csaf_security_advisory
- Csaf Version
- 2.0
- Publisher
- Microsoft Security Response Center
- Advisory Id
- msrc_CVE-2026-45482
- Cve Count
- 1
- Remediation Level
- official-fix
Threat ID: 6a29d5c30e53e738839c2804
Added to database: 06/10/2026, 21:23:15 UTC
Last enriched: 08/14/2026, 12:54:26 UTC
Last updated: 09/14/2026, 22:01:34 UTC
Views: 326
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