CVE-2025-62449 Overview
CVE-2025-62449 is a path traversal vulnerability in the Microsoft GitHub Copilot Chat extension for Visual Studio Code. The flaw stems from improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory [CWE-22]. An authorized local attacker can leverage the weakness to bypass a security feature in the extension. Exploitation requires local access, low privileges, and user interaction. Successful exploitation can lead to high impact on confidentiality and integrity, with limited impact on availability. Microsoft has published a security advisory addressing the issue.
Critical Impact
An authenticated local attacker can bypass a security boundary in the GitHub Copilot Chat extension, exposing sensitive files and enabling unauthorized modification within the developer environment.
Affected Products
- Microsoft GitHub Copilot Chat extension for Visual Studio Code
- Developer workstations running vulnerable versions of the extension
- Environments where Copilot Chat operates on shared or untrusted workspace content
Discovery Timeline
- 2025-11-11 - CVE-2025-62449 published to NVD
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2025-62449
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability is a path traversal issue classified under [CWE-22]. The Copilot Chat extension fails to properly constrain pathnames to an intended restricted directory. An authorized attacker with local access can supply crafted path inputs that resolve outside of the permitted workspace boundary. This bypasses a security feature that would normally restrict file operations to sanctioned locations. The attack requires user interaction, meaning the target developer must perform an action such as opening a workspace or accepting a prompt within Copilot Chat. Once the boundary is bypassed, the attacker can read or modify files that should be outside the extension's reach.
Root Cause
The root cause is insufficient normalization and validation of pathname inputs handled by the Copilot Chat extension. Path components such as .. sequences, absolute paths, or symbolic references are not adequately filtered before file operations occur. This allows resolved paths to escape the intended sandboxed workspace directory.
Attack Vector
The attack vector is local and requires low-level authentication plus user interaction. A typical scenario involves an attacker preparing a malicious workspace, repository, or chat payload that contains crafted path references. When the developer interacts with the content through Copilot Chat, the extension processes the path and performs file operations outside the restricted directory. This can expose source code, credentials, or configuration files, and can enable overwriting of files that influence subsequent developer workflows.
No verified public proof-of-concept code is available. Refer to the Microsoft Security Bulletin CVE-2025-62449 for authoritative technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2025-62449
Indicators of Compromise
- File access events originating from the Copilot Chat extension process that target paths outside the active VS Code workspace directory.
- Presence of workspace files or chat inputs containing suspicious ..\ or ../ traversal sequences and absolute path references.
- Unexpected reads of sensitive local files such as SSH keys, cloud credentials, or .env files by Node.js processes hosting VS Code extensions.
Detection Strategies
- Monitor endpoint telemetry for VS Code extension host processes performing file operations outside expected workspace roots.
- Inspect Copilot Chat session logs and conversation content for path traversal payloads and encoded path separators.
- Correlate developer workstation activity with untrusted repository cloning events preceding anomalous file access.
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable process and file access auditing on developer endpoints to capture read and write operations by extension host processes.
- Alert on access to credential stores, private keys, and secrets directories by processes tied to editor extensions.
- Track VS Code and Copilot Chat extension version inventory to identify unpatched installations across the fleet.
How to Mitigate CVE-2025-62449
Immediate Actions Required
- Update the GitHub Copilot Chat extension in Visual Studio Code to the latest version published by Microsoft.
- Restart Visual Studio Code after the update to ensure the patched extension host loads.
- Avoid opening untrusted repositories or workspaces in VS Code with Copilot Chat enabled until patching is complete.
Patch Information
Microsoft has released an update addressing CVE-2025-62449. Review the Microsoft Security Bulletin CVE-2025-62449 for the fixed extension version and deployment guidance. Apply the update through the VS Code Extensions marketplace or your organization's managed extension deployment mechanism.
Workarounds
- Disable the GitHub Copilot Chat extension on affected endpoints until the patched version is installed.
- Enable Visual Studio Code Workspace Trust and refuse to trust workspaces from unknown sources.
- Restrict developer accounts from storing sensitive credentials in filesystem locations reachable from typical workspace roots.
# Update the GitHub Copilot Chat extension from the VS Code CLI
code --install-extension GitHub.copilot-chat --force
# Verify installed version
code --list-extensions --show-versions | grep copilot-chat
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
