Based on CIS Benchmarks

Security goals

Deploy VS Code so it remains a productive editor without becoming a software supply-chain or data-exfiltration risk. This guide focuses on:

  • Reducing exposure from agentic tooling / chat integrations (MCP, auto-approvals)
  • Controlling extensions (primary supply-chain risk in VS Code)
  • Minimising telemetry / feedback data flows
  • Ensuring updates are checked automatically (patch hygiene)

Threat model snapshot

The most common enterprise risks for VS Code deployments are:

  • Malicious or compromised extensions (credential theft, source-code exfiltration, persistence)
  • Developer tooling that can execute commands or call external services without sufficient controls
  • Data leakage via telemetry, feedback, or plugin backchannels
  • Patch lag (known vulnerabilities in Electron/Chromium, Node runtime, or bundled components)

Secure installation (Windows)

Choose the right installer

Preferred (enterprise-managed):

  • System installer (per-machine) so settings can be enforced via policy and updates are consistent.
  • Install from trusted distribution channels (official Microsoft download, internal software catalog, or signed package repository).

Operational recommendations:

  • Validate publisher signature before deployment.
  • Standardise install path and versioning via your endpoint management (Intune, SCCM, etc.).

Recommended deployment approach

  • Use Intune / GPO to enforce the baseline controls.
  • Use an extension allowlist rather than relying on user discretion.
  • Maintain a golden set of extensions required for supported workflows.

Hardening via Windows Policy (Registry)

Your baseline uses registry-backed policies under:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\VSCode

These are typically delivered via:

  • Group Policy (Administrative Templates), or
  • MDM (Intune) custom OMA-URI / configuration profiles (depending on your endpoint strategy)

CIS baseline controls

None

Implementation guidance for each control

Below are implementation notes and the practical impact to teams.

Chat controls

1.1.1 — Disable ChatMCP (Medium)

  • What it does: Disables MCP-style chat integration capability (reduces agent/tool execution surface).
  • Why you want it: Limits pathways where chat tooling could broker access to tools/systems.
  • How to implement: Set ChatMCP to 0 (DWORD) under the VS Code policy hive.

1.1.2 — Disable ChatToolsAutoApprove (High)

  • What it does: Prevents automatic approvals for tools/actions requested by chat.
  • Why you want it: Auto-approval is a classic privilege escalation / unintended action vector.
  • How to implement: Set ChatToolsAutoApprove to 0 (DWORD).

Extensions

1.2.1 — Configure AllowedExtensions (Medium)

  • What it does: Restricts which extensions can be installed/used.
  • Why you want it: Extensions are the biggest supply-chain risk in VS Code.
  • How to implement: Set AllowedExtensions (REG_SZ) to a JSON string describing the allowlist.

Practical recommendation:

  • Maintain an approved extension catalog.
  • Review extensions for:
  • Publisher reputation / verification status
  • Permission footprint
  • Update cadence and community scrutiny

Telemetry

1.3.1 — Disable feedback (Medium)

  • What it does: Disables end-user feedback prompts/submission.
  • Why you want it: Reduces outbound data flows and potential accidental leakage.
  • How to implement: Set EnableFeedback to 0 (DWORD).

1.3.2 — TelemetryLevel = off (High)

  • What it does: Disables telemetry.
  • Why you want it: Minimises metadata leakage about projects, usage patterns, environment details.
  • How to implement: Set TelemetryLevel (REG_SZ) to off.

Updates

1.4.1 — UpdateMode = default (High)

  • What it does: Ensures VS Code checks for updates automatically and periodically.
  • Why you want it: Reduces patch lag for Electron/Chromium/Node and VS Code vulnerabilities.
  • How to implement: Set UpdateMode (REG_SZ) to default.

Note: Some environments prefer ring-based rollout (pilot → broad). Keep automated checks enabled, but control deployment using your software distribution process.

Operational guardrails (recommended)

Even with registry hardening, add these guardrails:

  • Least privilege: Developers should not have local admin.
  • Code signing & application control: Use WDAC / AppLocker to prevent unapproved binaries.
  • Network egress controls: Restrict outbound traffic where feasible (especially from build servers/jump boxes).
  • Secrets hygiene: Never store secrets in repos; use secret managers and pre-commit scanning.
  • Logging: Monitor for:
  • New extension installations
  • Unusual outbound traffic from VS Code
  • Policy tampering in the VS Code policy hive

Appendix A — Example registry implementation (illustrative)

Use your endpoint tooling (GPO/Intune) rather than manual edits where possible.

  • Base key: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\VSCode
  • Example values:
  • ChatMCP (DWORD) = 0
  • ChatToolsAutoApprove (DWORD) = 0
  • EnableFeedback (DWORD) = 0
  • TelemetryLevel (SZ) = off
  • UpdateMode (SZ) = default

Need Help?

The functionality discussed in this post, and so much more, are available via the SOCFortress platform. Let SOCFortress help you and your team keep your infrastructure secure.

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