Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-31938 is a high-severity privilege escalation issue in Microsoft Visual Studio Code Kubernetes Tools. It matters mainly where developers use the affected extension. The vulnerability is local, requires a low-privileged user and user interaction, and is not listed as known exploited in CISA KEV based on the provided bundle.
Executive priority
Treat this as a targeted developer-endpoint remediation item. It is high severity, but the local, interaction-required vector makes it less urgent than remotely exploitable infrastructure flaws. Prioritize teams with Kubernetes access because compromised developer tooling can affect operational environments.
Technical view
The issue affects Microsoft Visual Studio Code - Kubernetes Tools version 1.0.0. CVSS 3.1 is 7.3 with local attack vector, low complexity, low privileges required, and user interaction required. The vector rates confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact as high. The bundle names an official remediation level but does not provide fixed-version details.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely on developer workstations or build environments running the affected VS Code Kubernetes Tools extension version 1.0.0. Internet-facing servers are not the primary exposure path because the CVSS vector is local and requires user interaction.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation should be treated as plausible local privilege escalation risk, not as confirmed in-the-wild activity. The bundle does not describe exploit mechanics, prerequisites beyond CVSS, or observed attacker behavior.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to CVE/MSRC metadata and CVSS fields. The bundle does not include root cause, exploit details, fixed version, or compensating controls. Avoid assuming exploitation or affected versions beyond Visual Studio Code Kubernetes Tools 1.0.0.
Mitigation direction
- Check Microsoft MSRC guidance for the official update or remediation.
- Inventory VS Code Kubernetes Tools installations across developer endpoints.
- Update or remove affected version 1.0.0 where found.
- Prioritize systems used for Kubernetes administration or privileged development workflows.
Validation and detection
- Confirm whether Visual Studio Code Kubernetes Tools version 1.0.0 is installed.
- Compare installed extension versions against Microsoft MSRC guidance.
- Verify remediated systems no longer run the affected version.
- Document any developer endpoints where remediation is delayed.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
Privilege behavior lookup
The CVE wording references privilege impact, so privilege escalation and authorization behavior review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupContainer behavior lookup
The affected technology mentions containers, so container-specific ATT&CK technique review may help. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.
Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-31938 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- High
- CVSS
- 7.3 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C1.35.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
7.3HighVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:U/RL:O/RC:C
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2021-31938CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.