# CVE-2026-81376: Microsoft Visual Studio Code security feature bypass via incomplete comparison

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-81376-microsoft-visual-studio-code-security-feature-bypass-via  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2026-09-08. Updated: 2026-09-26  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2026-81376 · Severity: critical · CVSS 9.6 · Published 2026-09-08

Visual Studio Code is a widely-used code editor that developers rely on for their daily work. A vulnerability in how the application compares security-related values could allow an attacker on the network to bypass important security protections, potentially gaining unauthorized access to code or sensitive information open in the editor.

Technologies: [Microsoft Visual Studio Code](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/visual-studio-code). Vendors: [Microsoft](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/microsoft).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2026-81376 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2026-81376 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2026-81376?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 9.6, published 8 September 2026.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Microsoft Visual Studio Code.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2026-81376?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2026-81376 attacked?** It is attacked over the network.

**Am I affected by CVE-2026-81376?** Check whether you run Microsoft Visual Studio Code. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Technical details

The vulnerability stems from an incomplete comparison with missing factors in Visual Studio Code's security validation logic. This logic flaw allows an attacker to bypass a security feature via a network-based attack vector without requiring user interaction or prior authentication. An attacker can exploit this to circumvent protections that would normally restrict unauthorized access. A patch from Microsoft is available through their Security Update Guide.

## Affected products

- Microsoft Visual Studio Code

## Timeline

- 2026-09-08: disclosed

## References

- [https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81376](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2026-81376)

## Related threats

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- [Microsoft Visual Studio Code incomplete input validation security bypass](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121663-incomplete-list-of-disallowed-inputs-in-visual-studio-code)
- [Visual Studio Code command injection vulnerability](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-121662-improper-neutralization-of-special-elements-used-in-a-command)