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TI-2020-12963 Aliases CVE-2020-16977GHSA-f757-5gm7-m88x

Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Priority MEDIUM 40Published · Updated

Key facts

Attack vector
Local
Privileges required
None
User interaction
Required
Attack complexity
Low
Impact type
—
Confidentiality · integrity · availability
High · High · High
Fix status
Fixed

Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA.

Summary

<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>

Why it matters now

EPSS 0.03352 88th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed Python extension for Visual Studio Code (Microsoft): publication

SSVC decision points

Not available: CISA has not published SSVC decision points for this record.

Affected products

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed inStatusSource
MicrosoftPython extension for Visual Studio Code2020 to before publicationpublicationPatch availableCNA
  • Python extension for Visual Studio Code VendorMicrosoft Affected 2020 to before publication Fixed in publication Patch available CNA

CPE configurations NVD · 1

CPEVersionsRoleVendor
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*not specified by NVDVulnerableMicrosoft
  • cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions not specified by NVD Vulnerable ·Microsoft

Remediation

  • Fix · CNA Python extension for Visual Studio Code (Microsoft) Fixed in publication

Timeline

  1. 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2020-16977
  2. 2026-10-03 Alias added: GHSA-f757-5gm7-m88x

References

Patch 1

  • TI-2022-19575 Visual Studio Code Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2022-12402 Visual Studio Code Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.8
  • TI-2023-13732 Visual Studio Code Spoofing Vulnerability CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.6
  • TI-2019-00505 A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when it process… CVSS 3.0HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2021-19679 Visual Studio Code Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.8
  • TI-2022-06348 Visual Studio Code Remote Development Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability CVSS 3.1HIGH 8.1
See all 88 →

Sources

This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences