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Full vulnerability report · 2026
CVE-2026-21518High confidence

GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

Microsoft · Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension

8.8HighCVSS 3.1
Recommended action
Within 7 days

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
R
Operational reassessment

Published severity in operational context

Open reassessment dashboard →
Published severityHighOperational priority:High, unchanged from published severity.unchanged

Evidence used

  • No CISA KEV confirmation is currently recorded.
  • EPSS is 1.44% for the current model date.

Compensating controls

  • Validate the affected product branch and deploy the verified fixed release.
  • Restrict the affected network interface to trusted sources where business-safe.
  • Monitor vendor guidance and exploitation sources for a material change.

Verification

  1. Confirm that the asset runs Microsoft Microsoft Visual Studio Code CoPilot Chat Extension and falls inside the recorded affected range.
  2. Verify the installed build against the product-specific fixed version after deployment.
  3. Validate exposure, authentication requirements and compensating controls in the actual environment.
  4. Reopen this reassessment when CVSS, KEV, EPSS, exploit evidence or remediation changes.
Mitigation target: Within 30 daysRemediation target: Within 180 days

This automated reassessment organises public evidence. It does not know asset exposure, business impact or control effectiveness and does not replace CVSS or a human risk decision.

Optional official sources

National CERT insights
?CERT means Computer Emergency Response Team; CSIRT is the closely related term Computer Security Incident Response Team.

Choose official national sources for this report. Each advisory shows its original language. Your selection is remembered on this device and included in shared links.

Official European source

ENISA European Vulnerability Database

Official EUVD identifiers, advisory evidence and known-exploited context. Missing fields are not treated as evidence of low risk.

1 current
ENISA EUVD identifier

EUVD-2026-7359

No EUVD known-exploited evidence

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.

EUVD state
Present in the current official mapping
Known exploitation
Not present in the current ENISA EUVD known-exploited dataset. This is not proof of no exploitation.
ENISA score
8.8 · CVSS 3.1
Advisory evidence
No linked advisory details stored yet
Recommended actionWithin 7 days

High technical severity; prioritise exposed affected systems while verifying vendor guidance.

Patch available
01

What, why and how

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.

What

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.

Why

Untrusted input reaches a command interpreter without sufficient validation or separation from command syntax.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

What

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.

Why

Untrusted input reaches a command interpreter without sufficient validation or separation from command syntax.

How

An attacker operating through a network path may attempt exploitation without authentication after a user interaction. If successful, the issue may cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor.

02

Exploit reality and attack path

CVSS severity, EPSS forecast probability, public exploit material and CISA-confirmed exploitation are separate signals.

Observed exploitation
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
No confirmed evidence

No CISA KEV match was present at the last successful refresh. This means no confirmation from that source, not proof of no exploitation.

Public PoC / exploit material
?Confirmed exploitation and public exploit material are separate signals. Attacks can occur without public proof-of-concept or exploit code.
None recorded

No exploit-tagged reference or CISA SSVC proof-of-concept state is currently recorded. Research may still exist outside the structured feeds.

Likely attack path
a network path → Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection') → cause the confidentiality, integrity or availability impact described by the vendor
Attack surface
Network
Privileges required
None: unauthenticated exploitation is possible
User interaction
Required interaction required
Attack complexity
Low: no specialised conditions are recorded
Security boundary
Unchanged: impact remains within the vulnerable component's security authority
Weakness
?CWE means Common Weakness Enumeration: a standard category for the underlying weakness.
CWE-77 ↗

CWE-77: Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection'). The product constructs all or part of a command using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the intended command when it is sent to a downstream component.

CVSS vector
?CVSS means Common Vulnerability Scoring System. The vector records the metric values used to calculate technical severity.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

Common Vulnerability Scoring System 3.1: the compact vector below is decoded into plain language.

AVNetworkAttack vector: The vulnerable component can be reached over a network.ACLowAttack complexity: No specialised conditions are required beyond attacker-controlled input.PRNonePrivileges required: The attacker does not need an account or existing privileges.UIRequiredUser interaction: Another user must perform an action for exploitation to succeed.SUnchangedScope: The security impact remains within the vulnerable component's authority.CHighConfidentiality impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.IHighIntegrity impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.AHighAvailability impact: A successful attack can cause a major loss.
Post-exploitation / living off the land
No specific living-off-the-land technique is confirmed in the structured sources. Monitor normal administration tools for activity inconsistent with the affected service's baseline.
NetworkUnauthenticatedCWE-77
A

Official authority intelligence

Only matched European and national findings are included. Language selectors and unavailable sources are omitted.

ENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-7359Official EUVD mapping

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.

Official EUVD record ↗
BSI · German · WID-SEC-2026-0367Microsoft DeveloperTools (Visual Studio Code und .NET): Mehrere Schwachstellen

Ein Angreifer kann mehrere Schwachstellen in Microsoft Visual Studio, Visual Studio Code und .NET ausnutzen, um sich erhöhte Rechte zu verschaffen, beliebigen Code auszuführen, Spoofing-Angriffe zu starten und die Authentifizierung zu umgehen.

Official advisory ↗
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore · English · CSA-SB-20260211Security Bulletin 11 Feb 2026

The Cyber Security Agency of Singapore included this CVE in its official Security Bulletin 11 Feb 2026, published on 11 February 2026. Open the linked bulletin for the product, severity and reference information published in that issue.

Official advisory ↗
CERT-FR · French · CERTFR-2026-AVI-0153Multiples vulnérabilités dans les produits Microsoft

De multiples vulnérabilités ont été découvertes dans les produits Microsoft. Certaines d'entre elles permettent à un attaquant de provoquer une exécution de code arbitraire à distance, une élévation de privilèges et une atteinte à la confidentialité des données.

Official advisory ↗
JVN iPedia · Japanese · JVNDB-2026-003527マイクロソフトのVisual Studio Codeにおけるコマンドインジェクションの脆弱性

GitHub CopilotおよびVisual Studio Codeにおいて、コマンドに使用される特殊要素の無害化が不適切であるため(コマンドインジェクションの脆弱性)、不正な攻撃者がネットワーク経由でセキュリティ機能を回避できる可能性があります。

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-6724MS 3월 보안 위협에 따른 정기 보안 업데이트 권고

ws Admin Center 권한 상승 취약성 | | Windows App Installer | CVE-2026-23656 | Windows 앱 설치 관리자 스푸핑 취약성 | | GitHub Repo: zero-shot-scfoundation | CVE-2026-23654 | GitHub: 제로 샷 SCFoundation 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Azure Compute Gallery | CVE-2026-23651 | Microsoft ACI 기밀 컨테이너 권한 상승 취약성 | | Microsoft Devices Pricing Program | CVE-2026-21536 | Microsoft 장치 가격 책정 프로그램 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Microsoft Teams | CVE-2026-21535 | Microsoft Teams 정보 공개 취약성 | | Azure IoT Explorer | CVE-2026-21528 | Azure IoT Explorer 정보 공개 취약성 | | GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio | CVE-2026-21523 | GitHub Copilot 및 Visual Studio Code 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code | CVE-2026-21518 | GitHub Copilot 및 Visual Studio Code 보안 기능 바이패스 취약성 | | Windows App for Mac | CVE-2026-21517 | Mac용 Windows 앱 설치 프로그램 권한 상승 취약성 | | SQL Server | CVE-2026-21262 | SQL 서버 권한 상승 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2026-21223 | Microsoft Edge(Chromium 기반) 보안 기능 우회 취약성 | | System Center Operations Manager | CVE-2026-20967 | System Center Operations Manager(SCOM) 권한 상승 취약성 | | Windows Notepad App | CVE-2026-20841 | Windows 메모장 앱 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2026-0102 | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) Defense in Depth Vulnerability | | Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based) | CVE-2025-65046 | Microsoft Edge(Chromium 기반

Official advisory ↗
KISA KrCERT/CC · Korean · KNVD-6688MS 2월 보안 위협에 따른 정기 보안 업데이트 권고

r 스푸핑 취약성 | | Windows Remote Access Connection Manager | CVE-2026-21525 | Windows 원격 액세스 연결 관리자 서비스 거부 취약성 | | Azure Data Explorer | CVE-2026-21524 | Azure Data Explorer Information Disclosure Vulnerability | | GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio | CVE-2026-21523 | GitHub Copilot 및 Visual Studio Code 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Azure Compute Gallery | CVE-2026-21522 | Microsoft ACI 기밀 컨테이너 권한 상승 취약성 | | Copilot | CVE-2026-21521 | Word Copilot Information Disclosure Vulnerability | | Copilot Studio | CVE-2026-21520 | Copilot Studio 정보 공개 취약성 | | Desktop Window Manager | CVE-2026-21519 | 데스크톱 Windows 관리자 권한 상승 취약성 | | GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code | CVE-2026-21518 | GitHub Copilot 및 Visual Studio Code 보안 기능 바이패스 취약성 | | Windows App for Mac | CVE-2026-21517 | Mac용 Windows 앱 설치 프로그램 권한 상승 취약성 | | Github Copilot | CVE-2026-21516 | GitHub Copilot for Jetbrains 원격 코드 실행 취약성 | | Microsoft Office Word | CVE-2026-21514 | Microsoft Word 보안 기능 우회 취약성 | | MSHTML Framework | CVE-2026-21513 | MSHTML Framework Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability | | Azure DevOps Server | CVE-2026-21512 | Azure DevOps Server 교차 사이트 스크립팅 취약성 | | Microsoft Office Outlook | CVE-2026-21511 | Microsoft Outlook 스푸핑 취약성 | | Windows Shell | CVE-2026-21510 | Windows Shell 보안 기능 바이패스 취약성 | | Microsoft Office | CVE-2026-21509 | Microsoft Off

Official advisory ↗
NCSC-NL · Dutch · NCSC-2026-0056Kwetsbaarheden verholpen in Microsoft Developer Tools

Een kwaadwillende kan de kwetsbaarheden misbruiken om beveiligingsmaatregelen te omzeilen, zich verhoogde rechten toe te kennen en mogelijk willekeurige code uit te voeren met rechten van het slachtoffer. Voor succesvol misbruik moet de kwaadwillende het slachtoffer misleiden om malafide code te downloaden en uit te voeren. Omdat ontwikkelaars in ontwikkelomgevingen vaak met verhoogde rechten werken, is niet uit te sluiten dat de uitvoer van code ook plaatsvindt onder verhoogde rechten. ``` GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio: |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-ID | CVSS | Impact | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-2026-21523 | 8.00 | Uitvoeren van willekeurige code | | CVE-2026-21257 | 8.00 | Verkrijgen van verhoogde rechten | | CVE-2026-21256 | 8.80 | Uitvoeren van willekeurige code | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio Code: |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-ID | CVSS | Impact | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-2026-21518 | 6.50 | Omzeilen van beveiligingsmaatregel | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| .NET and Visual Studio: |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-ID | CVSS | Impact | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-2026-21218 | 7.50 | Voordoen als andere gebruiker | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| Github Copilot: |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-ID | CVSS | Impact | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------| | CVE-2026-21516 | 8.80 | Uitvoeren van willekeurige code | |----------------|------|-------------------------------------|

Official advisory ↗
03

Patch and workaround

Operational remediation based on structured source evidence.

Status
?Patch availability is based on structured fixed-version fields and authoritative update references. If no fix is verified, check the vendor advisory before making a change.
Patch available
Affected
Fixed
An authoritative update reference is available, but the fixed version is not recorded in the structured CVE fields. Check the linked vendor advisory for the applicable release.
Action
Review the linked authoritative reference and apply the recorded fixed release appropriate to the affected product branch.
Workaround
No verified workaround is recorded. If business-safe, reduce exposure to the affected interface and allow only trusted sources until authoritative guidance is available.
04

Evidence and provenance

Published 10 Feb 2026 · Last source change 19 Aug 2026, 16:26 UTC · CWE-77 · Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command ('Command Injection')

CVE recordCVE.org · 5.2
CVSS sourceCNA
EPSS source
?The date BlackTree first stored a score for this CVE from the daily FIRST EPSS feed.
FIRST · tracked since 2026-08-14
European sourceENISA EUVD · EUVD-2026-7359
Product sourceCNA
Remediation sourceCVE/CNA references
CWE sourceOther authority
NVD statusNVD modified after enrichment

Core structured fields are present and their contributing authorities are shown above.

Material change intelligence

What changed after publication

View recent updates ↗

No material field changes have been recorded since change tracking began. Routine source refreshes and cosmetic edits are intentionally excluded.

Material fields only · duplicate refreshes suppressed · history retained for the configured operational retention period
Technical terms and abbreviations used in this report
CVE
Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures: the public identifier for one disclosed vulnerability.
CVSS
Common Vulnerability Scoring System: a technical severity framework; it is not patching priority by itself.
EPSS
Exploit Prediction Scoring System: FIRST's estimate of the probability that exploitation activity will be observed in the next 30 days; it is a forecast, not confirmation.
CWE
Common Weakness Enumeration: the standard category describing the underlying software or hardware weakness.
CNA
CVE Numbering Authority: an organisation authorised to assign and publish CVE records.
CISA ADP
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Authorized Data Publisher: structured enrichment added to a CVE record.
NVD
National Vulnerability Database: NIST's enrichment service for CVE records.
CERT / CSIRT
A computer security incident response team that publishes warnings or coordinates incident response.
PoC
Proof of concept: public material that demonstrates or helps reproduce exploitation.
CSAF
Common Security Advisory Framework: a machine-readable format for security advisories.
LoTL
Living off the land: abuse of legitimate tools or system functions during an attack.
Free version - for non-commercial use only.CVE-2026-21518 · cve.blacktree.nl