CVE-2020-1192
Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
CVE-2020-1192 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.8) in Microsoft Python, published May 21, 2020. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 4.25%, the 91st percentile. No source names a fixed version.
- Severity
- 7.8 HighCVSS 3.1, NVD
- Exploit chance
- 4.25%EPSS, 91st percentile
- Exploitation
- None knownNot on CISA’s or ENISA’s lists
- Fixed in
- No fix listedNo source names one
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.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Local
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- Required
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
python-pyAzure Linux:3 | through 1.11.0-1 | None known |
What each source reports
NVD Score used 7.8
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.
- Record
CVE-2020-1192- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 9.3 High
AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C - Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE ListNo score
Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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.
- Record
CVE-2020-1192- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2020-12072No score
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.
- Record
EUVD-2020-12072- Updated
- 2026-11-02
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-7c3q-gqj2-m85j 7.8
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension...
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads workspace settings from a notebook file, aka 'Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1171.
- Record
GHSA-7c3q-gqj2-m85j- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-20
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVAZL-113051 7.8
CVE-2020-1192 affecting package python-py 1.11.0-1
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.
- Record
AZL-113051- CVSS 3.1
- 7.8 High
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-10
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| affected, aliases, facts, references | OSV | |
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, GitHub Advisories, NVD |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.