---
id: CVE-2026-78461
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 over a network.
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 over a network.
severity: high
cvss: 7.4
cvssVector: 'CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:N/A:N'
cwe:
  - CWE-22
vendor: microsoft
product: visual_studio_code
affected:
  - visual_studio_code < 1.136.2
patched:
  - visual_studio_code 1.136.2
published: '2026-09-08'
updated: '2026-09-11'
sourceUpdated: '2026-09-11T21:11:21.257'
source: NVD
sourceUrl: 'https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-78461'
references:
  - url: 'https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-78461'
    label: secure@microsoft.com
tags:
  - nvd
  - cve.org
ssvc:
  exploitation: none
  automatable: 'no'
  technicalImpact: partial
  timestamp: '2026-09-09T18:10:45.911927Z'
epss: 0.01036
epssPercentile: 0.62344
ingestedAt: '2026-09-08T19:08:49.629Z'
---

## 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 over a network.

## Affected

- `visual_studio_code < 1.136.2`

## Remediation

Upgrade past the affected range:

- `visual_studio_code 1.136.2`