Skip to content
OpenAdvisories
Unscored CVE-2020-1192 EUVD-2020-12072GHSA-7c3q-gqj2-m85j

Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published May 21, 2020 · Updated Aug 19, 2026 · Assigned by microsoft

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

VendorProductAffectedFixed
Microsoft Visual Studio Code 1.0.0 – < publication publication

Fixed in Linux distributions

Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.

Azure Linux

ReleasePackageFixed inAdvisory
Azure Linux 3 python-py No fix yet —

References