CVE-2026-25931 vscode-spell-checker has a workspace-trust bypass Code Execution
An attacker can execute arbitrary code by placing a malicious configuration file in an untrusted workspace, bypassing VS Code's workspace trust mechanism.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Local or same network only
- Victim action needed
- A user has to click or open something
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-25931?
CVE-2026-25931 is a high-severity vulnerability in streetsidesoftware vscode-spell-checker, published on 9 Feb 2026. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Official description
vscode-spell-checker is a basic spell checker that works well with code and documents. Prior to v4.5.4, DocumentSettings._determineIsTrusted treats the configuration value cSpell.trustedWorkspace as the authoritative trust flag. The value defaults to true (package.json) and is read from workspace configuration each time settings are fetched. The code coerces any truthy value to true and forwards it to ConfigLoader.setIsTrusted , which in turn allows JavaScript/TypeScript configuration files ( .cspell.config.js/.mjs/.ts , etc.) to be located and executed. Because no VS Code workspace-trust state is consulted, an untrusted workspace can keep the flag true and place a malicious .cspell.config.js ; opening the workspace causes the extension host to execute attacker-controlled Node.js code with the user’s privileges. This vulnerability is fixed in v4.5.4.
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-25931?
How do I fix CVE-2026-25931?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-25931 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Is CVE-2026-25931 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-25931 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-mggq-68mr-58vj.