CVE-2020-1171
Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Description
A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project. 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 clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension handles environment variables.
INFO
Published Date :
May 21, 2020, 11:15 p.m.
Last Modified :
Aug. 19, 2026, 5:17 p.m.
Remotely Exploit :
Yes !
Source :
[email protected]
Affected Products
The following products are affected by CVE-2020-1171
vulnerability.
Even if cvefeed.io is aware of the exact versions of the
products
that
are
affected, the information is not represented in the table below.
CVSS Scores
| Score | Version | Severity | Vector | Exploitability Score | Impact Score | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 2.0 | HIGH | [email protected] | ||||
| CVSS 3.1 | HIGH | [email protected] |
Solution
- Upgrade Python Extensin of VS Code to 2020.5.78807 or later.
Public PoC/Exploit Available at Github
CVE-2020-1171 has a 1 public
PoC/Exploit available at Github.
Go to the Public Exploits tab to see the list.
References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
Here, you will find a curated list of external links that provide in-depth
information, practical solutions, and valuable tools related to
CVE-2020-1171.
| URL | Resource |
|---|---|
| https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1171 | |
| https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 | Patch Vendor Advisory |
CWE - Common Weakness Enumeration
While CVE identifies
specific instances of vulnerabilities, CWE categorizes the common flaws or
weaknesses that can lead to vulnerabilities. CVE-2020-1171 is
associated with the following CWEs:
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification (CAPEC)
Common Attack Pattern Enumeration and Classification
(CAPEC)
stores attack patterns, which are descriptions of the common attributes and
approaches employed by adversaries to exploit the CVE-2020-1171
weaknesses.
We scan GitHub repositories to detect new proof-of-concept exploits. Following list is a collection of public exploits and proof-of-concepts, which have been published on GitHub (sorted by the most recently updated).
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Results are limited to the first 15 repositories due to potential performance issues.
The following list is the news that have been mention
CVE-2020-1171 vulnerability anywhere in the article.
The following table lists the changes that have been made to the
CVE-2020-1171 vulnerability over time.
Vulnerability history details can be useful for understanding the evolution of a vulnerability, and for identifying the most recent changes that may impact the vulnerability's severity, exploitability, or other characteristics.
-
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Aug. 19, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed Affected [{'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Visual Studio Code', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': 'unspecified'}]}] [{'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Python extension for Visual Studio Code', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': '2020', 'lessThan': 'publication', 'versionType': 'custom'}]}] Changed Description A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project, aka 'Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability'. This CVE ID is unique from CVE-2020-1192. A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads configuration files after opening a project. 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 clone a repository and open it in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension handles environment variables. Added Reference https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1171 Removed Reference https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 Removed Reference Type https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 Types: Patch, Vendor Advisory -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
Jun. 17, 2026
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Affected [{'vendor': 'Microsoft', 'product': 'Visual Studio Code', 'versions': [{'status': 'affected', 'version': 'unspecified'}]}] -
CPE Deprecation Remap by [email protected]
Jul. 08, 2025
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:* versions from (excluding) 2020.5.0 OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:python:*:*:*:*:*:visual_studio_code:*:* versions from (excluding) 2020.5.0 -
CVE Modified by af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Nov. 21, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value Added Reference https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 -
CVE Modified by [email protected]
May. 14, 2024
Action Type Old Value New Value -
Reanalysis by [email protected]
Dec. 01, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2020.5.0 OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:*:*:*:*:*:python:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2020.5.0 -
CWE Remap by [email protected]
Jul. 21, 2021
Action Type Old Value New Value Changed CWE CWE-20 NVD-CWE-noinfo -
Initial Analysis by [email protected]
May. 27, 2020
Action Type Old Value New Value Added CVSS V2 Metadata Victim must voluntarily interact with attack mechanism Added CVSS V2 NIST (AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C) Added CVSS V3.1 NIST AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H Changed Reference Type https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 No Types Assigned https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-1171 Patch, Vendor Advisory Added CWE NIST CWE-20 Added CPE Configuration OR *cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:* versions up to (excluding) 2020.5.0