Security Update for Microsoft Visual Studio Code Python Extension (May 2020)

high Nessus Plugin ID 136617

Language:

Synopsis

The remote host has an application installed that is missing a security update.

Description

A remote code execution (RCE) 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.

Solution

Upgrade Python Extensin of VS Code to 2020.5.78807 or later.

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 136617

File Name: microsoft_visual_studio_code_ms20_may.nasl

Version: 1.7

Type: local

Agent: windows

Family: Windows

Published: 5/15/2020

Updated: 5/13/2022

Configuration: Enable thorough checks

Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 5.9

CVSS v2

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 9.3

Temporal Score: 6.9

Vector: CVSS2#AV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:C/I:C/A:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2020-1192

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 8.8

Temporal Score: 7.7

Vector: CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Temporal Vector: CVSS:3.0/E:U/RL:O/RC:C

CVSS Score Source: CVE-2020-1171

Vulnerability Information

CPE: cpe:/a:microsoft:visual_studio_code

Required KB Items: installed_sw/Microsoft Visual Studio Code

Exploit Ease: No known exploits are available

Patch Publication Date: 5/12/2020

Vulnerability Publication Date: 5/12/2020

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2020-1171, CVE-2020-1192

IAVA: 2020-A-0216-S

Detections

Analytics