NTLM hash disclosure via malicious UNC paths
Published May 9, 2023 · Updated Jul 10, 2025
Information disclosure in Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.78.0 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to expose NTLM hashes via UNC paths. File-system reads or metadata resolution on an untrusted UNC path trigger Windows authentication to an attacker-controlled host instead of blocking the path. Exploitation requires delivery and victim opening of a malicious file, exposing reusable credential material without granting code execution.
Summary
What happened
Information disclosure in Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.78.0 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to expose NTLM hashes via UNC paths. File-system reads or metadata resolution on an untrusted UNC path trigger Windows authentication to an attacker-controlled host instead of blocking the path. Exploitation requires delivery and victim opening of a malicious file, exposing reusable credential material without granting code execution.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2023-29338
- Published
- May 9, 2023
- Updated
- Jul 10, 2025
- Vendor
- Microsoft
- Product
- Visual Studio Code
- Classifications
- CWE-285, T1187, T1204.002
- Attack vector
- local
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- May 9, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Jul 10, 2025Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.
- Affected versionversion=1.0.0 <1.78.1
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.
Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Weakness, pattern, technique
Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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