Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

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Summary

CVECVE-2020-1192
StatePUBLISHED
Assignermicrosoft
Source PriorityCVE Program / NVD first with legacy fallback
Published2020-05-21 23:15:18 UTC
Updated2026-08-19 17:17:34 UTC
DescriptionA 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.

Risk And Classification

Primary CVSS: v3.1 7.8 HIGH from [email protected]

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS: 0.117370000 probability, percentile 0.957260000 (date 2026-08-19)

Problem Types: NVD-CWE-noinfo | Remote Code Execution

VersionSourceTypeScoreSeverityVector
3.1[email protected]Primary7.8HIGHCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
2.0[email protected]Primary9.3AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS v3.1 Breakdown

Attack Vector
Local
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Required
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
High

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS v2.0 Breakdown

Access Vector
Network
Access Complexity
Medium
Authentication
None
Confidentiality
Complete
Integrity
Complete
Availability
Complete

AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

NVD Known Affected Configurations (CPE 2.3)

TypeVendorProductVersionUpdateEditionLanguage
Application Microsoft Python All All All All

Vendor Declared Affected Products

SourceVendorProductVersionPlatforms
CNA Microsoft Visual Studio Code affected 1.0.0 publication custom Not specified

References

ReferenceSourceLinkTags
portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1192 af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108 portal.msrc.microsoft.com Patch, Vendor Advisory
msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1192 [email protected] msrc.microsoft.com
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