CVE-2020-0604

7.8 HIGH
Published: August 17, 2020 Modified: February 23, 2026
View on NVD

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when it process environment variables 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. Attacker-specified code would execute when the target opened the integrated terminal. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code handles environment variables.

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CVSS v3.x Details

0.0 Low Medium High Critical 10.0
Vector String
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools

Patch Vendor Advisory Exploit Third Party Advisory
https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-US/security-guidance/advisory/CVE-2020-0604
Source: af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108
Patch Vendor Advisory

2 reference(s) from NVD

Quick Stats

CVSS v3 Score
7.8 / 10.0
EPSS (Exploit Probability)
9.2%
93th percentile
Exploitation Status
Not in CISA KEV

Affected Vendors

microsoft