CVE-2020-16881: microsoft visual studio code
Vulnerability summary
CVE-2020-16881 is a high (CVSS 9.3) vulnerability in microsoft visual studio code. EPSS estimates a 5.37% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days, higher than 92.5% of scored vulnerabilities.
Timeline
- 11-09-2020PublishedVulnerability first disclosed.
- 04-08-2024Last modifiedVulnerability information updated.
Description
<p>A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when a user is tricked into opening a malicious 'package.json' 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 clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opens the malicious 'package.json' file.</p> <p>The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code handles JSON files.</p>
CVSS metrics
3 scores · 2 sources · 2 versions- NVDNIST7.8HighCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS trend
Probability
5.37%
Chance of exploitation in the next 30 days
Percentile
93%
Versus all other CVEs
30-day change
0.00 pp
From 5.37% on 19-09-2026
Known exploited
Compare KEV catalogsNot in any of the 3 tracked catalogs.
Public exploits
0 foundNo public exploits indexed.
Weaknesses
CWE · root causeNo weakness data has been published for this record.
Affected systems
Microsoft1 product
- visual studio code≥ 1.0.0, < publication | < 1.48.1
1 vendor · 1 product
References
1 links
portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-16881X Refsource MISCPatchVendor Advisory