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TI-2026-20961 Aliases CVE-2026-25931

vscode-spell-checker has a workspace-trust bypass Code Execution

Priority LOW 35CWE-276Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
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-829.

Summary

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.

Why it matters now

Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.0015 4th percentileScored 2026-11-08
Fix Fixed vscode-spell-checker (streetsidesoftware): 4.5.4

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

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
streetsidesoftwarevscode-spell-checkerbefore 4.5.44.5.4Patch availableCNA
  • vscode-spell-checker Vendorstreetsidesoftware Affected before 4.5.4 Fixed in 4.5.4 Patch available CNA

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA vscode-spell-checker (streetsidesoftware) Fixed in 4.5.4

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-25931

References

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences