---
id: CVE-2026-45496
title: >-
  Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal')
  in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security
  feature locally.
summary: >-
  Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal')
  in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security
  feature locally.
severity: medium
cvss: 5.5
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-22
vendor: microsoft
product: visual_studio_code
affected:
  - visual_studio_code < 1.128.1
patched:
  - visual_studio_code 1.128.1
published: '2026-07-14'
updated: '2026-07-16'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-45496'
references:
  - url: 'https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-45496'
    label: secure@microsoft.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
epss: 0.00475
epssPercentile: 0.38369
ingestedAt: '2026-07-17T13:12:08.813Z'
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-07-16T15:15:26.755092Z'
---

## Overview

Improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory ('path traversal') in Visual Studio Code allows an unauthorized attacker to bypass a security feature locally.

## Affected

- `visual_studio_code < 1.128.1`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `visual_studio_code 1.128.1`