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HIGH

Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published May 21, 2020

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads workspace settings from a notebook file. An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could run arbitrary code in the context of the current user. If the current user is logged on with administrative user rights, an attacker could take control of the affected system. An attacker could then install programs; view, change, or delete data; or create new accounts with full user rights. To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to convince a target to open a specially crafted file in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension enforces user settings.

Affected products

Remediation

No remediation recorded yet.

Metrics

Weaknesses (0)

No CWE recorded.

References (2)

Change history (0)

No recorded changes yet.

Sources
CVE.org / MITRE
Status PUBLISHED
Assigner microsoft
Published May 21, 2020
Updated Aug 19, 2026
Reserved Nov 4, 2019
NVD
Status Modified
Modified Aug 19, 2026
Red Hat
Severity n/a
Public date n/a