CVE-2020-16977

Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

High · published October 16, 2020

CVSS v3.1
7.0
EPSS
3%
Percentile
88.6
In the wild
Unconfirmed
What it is

<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads a Jupyter 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.</p>

<p>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.</p>

<p>The update addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension renders notebook content.</p>

The record
Technical detail
CVSS v3.1
7.0 · HIGH
Vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H/E:P/RL:O/RC:C
CVSS v4.0
Not supplied
EPSS
0.03352 · 88.6th percentile
Published
2020-10-16T22:18Z
EPSS history
Timeline
  • 16 OCT 22:18Z
    Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
    cvelistv5