CVE-2025-53773: 
Visual Studio 2022 vulnerability analysis and mitigation

A critical security vulnerability (CVE-2025-53773) was discovered in GitHub Copilot and Visual Studio, involving improper neutralization of special elements used in command injection. The vulnerability was disclosed on August 12, 2025, and allows an unauthorized attacker to execute code locally through sophisticated prompt injection techniques. Microsoft assigned it a CVSS v3.1 base score of 7.8 (HIGH) with the vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H (NVD, GBHackers).

The vulnerability exploits GitHub Copilot's ability to modify project files without user approval, specifically targeting the .vscode/settings.json configuration file. By injecting malicious prompts into source code files, web pages, or GitHub issues, attackers can manipulate Copilot into adding the line "chat.tools.autoApprove": true to the settings file, effectively placing the AI assistant into "YOLO mode". This experimental feature disables all user confirmations for Copilot operations, enabling the AI to execute shell commands, browse the web, and perform other privileged actions without oversight. The vulnerability is classified as CWE-77 (Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in a Command) (Embrace The Red).

The vulnerability enables complete system compromise through sophisticated prompt injection techniques. Attackers can achieve remote code execution, create AI viruses that propagate through infected repositories, automatically embed malicious instructions in new projects, and recruit developer workstations into botnets (dubbed "ZombAI" networks). The attack surface extends beyond the primary YOLO mode exploitation, including additional vulnerabilities involving .vscode/tasks.json manipulation and malicious MCP server injection (GBHackers).

Microsoft patched the vulnerability in the August 2025 Patch Tuesday release. The fix addresses the core issue of unrestricted file modification by requiring user approval for configuration changes that affect security settings. The patch was implemented following responsible disclosure by security researchers, with the vulnerability initially reported on June 29, 2025 (GBHackers).

Security researchers, including Markus Vervier from Persistent Security and Ari Marzuk, independently identified and reported similar findings to Microsoft's Security Response Center. The incident has highlighted the emerging security challenges associated with AI-powered development tools and the need for robust permission models in agent-based systems (Embrace The Red).