Zed IDE MCP Context Server Configuration Arbitrary Code Execution
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Local
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- Required
- Attack complexity
- High
- Impact type
- Code execution
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · High · High
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-77.
Summary
Zed, a code editor, has an aribtrary code execution vulnerability in versions prior to 0.218.2-pre. The Zed IDE loads Model Context Protocol (MCP) configurations from the `settings.json` file located within a project’s `.zed` subdirectory. A malicious MCP configuration can contain arbitrary shell commands that run on the host system with the privileges of the user running the IDE. This can be triggered automatically without any user interaction besides opening the project in the IDE. Version 0.218.2-pre fixes the issue by implementing worktree trust mechanism. As a workaround, users should carefully review the contents of project settings files (`./zed/settings.json`) before opening new projects in Zed.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Total
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| zed-industries | zed | before 0.218.2-pre | 0.218.2-pre | Patch available | CNA |
- zed Vendorzed-industries Affected before 0.218.2-pre Fixed in 0.218.2-pre Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 1
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:zed:zed:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* | before 0.218.2 | Vulnerable | zed-industries |
- cpe:2.3:a:zed:zed:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions before 0.218.2 Vulnerable ·zed-industries
Remediation
- Fix · CNA zed (zed-industries) Fixed in 0.218.2-pre
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-68433
References
More zed-industries Zed vulnerabilities
- TI-2026-32402 Zed: Allowlist Bypass via Bash Variable Expansion Chain in Terminal Tool Permissions CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-22318 Zed Extension Sandbox Escape via Tar Symlink Following CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
- TI-2026-32405 Zed: Allowlist Bypass via Bash Arithmetic Expansion in Terminal Tool Permissions CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2026-32404 Zed: Zed IDE Arbitrary Code Execution via untrusted repository with poisoned .git/config CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2026-32403 Zed: Allowlist Bypass via Environment Variable Injection in Terminal Tool Permissions CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
- TI-2026-32401 Zed: Remote Command Injection via Unquoted Environment Variable Keys (SSH / WSL Remote) CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.6
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences