A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project. 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 clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal.
The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension handles environment variables.
To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker would need to convince a target to clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal.
The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension handles environment variables.
Metrics
Affected Vendors & Products
Advisories
No advisories yet.
Fixes
Solution
No solution given by the vendor.
Workaround
No workaround given by the vendor.
References
History
Wed, 19 Aug 2026 16:45:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| Description | A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project, aka 'Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1192. | A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project. 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 clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension handles environment variables. |
| Title | Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability | |
| First Time appeared |
Microsoft visual Studio Code
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|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:* | |
| Vendors & Products |
Microsoft visual Studio Code
|
|
| References |
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Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:30:00 +0000
| Type | Values Removed | Values Added |
|---|---|---|
| First Time appeared |
Microsoft python
|
|
| CPEs | cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:python:*:*:*:*:*:visual_studio_code:*:* | |
| Vendors & Products |
Microsoft visual Studio Code
|
Microsoft python
|
Projects
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MITRE
Status: PUBLISHED
Assigner: microsoft
Published:
Updated: 2026-08-19T16:34:14.911Z
Reserved: 2019-11-04T00:00:00.000Z
Link: CVE-2020-1171
Vulnrichment
No data.
NVD
Status : Modified
Published: 2020-05-21T23:15:17.897
Modified: 2026-08-19T17:17:28.833
Link: CVE-2020-1171
Redhat
No data.
OpenCVE Enrichment
No data.
Weaknesses