CVE-2020-17023

CVE Enrichment

CVSS: 7.8 HIGH
EPSS: 4.62%
EPSS Percentile: 91.48%
CISA KEV: Not listed

Description

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. 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. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code handles JSON files.

Technical Details

CVSS Version: 3.1
CNA / NVD Source: secure@microsoft.com
Published: 17-Oct-2020 06:15
Last Modified: 17-Jun-2026 09:58
EPSS Date: 2026-10-12

CVSS Vector


            CVSS:3.1                            AV:L /
                            AC:L /
                            PR:N /
                            UI:R /
                            S:U /
                            C:H /
                            I:H /
                            A:H

Affected Products / Versions

microsoft / visual_studio_code
Version / affected range: -
cpe:2.3:a:microsoft:visual_studio_code:-:*:*:*:*:*:*:*

References

af854a3a-2127-422b-91ae-364da2661108

Last enrichment sync: 18-Oct-2026 17:43
Sources: NVD · FIRST EPSS · CISA KEV
Latest successful provider update; providers refresh independently.

Reported Context (1)

CVE-2020-17023 VS Code Core Justin Steven Amazon Q VS Code Vulnerability Enabled Code Execution and Cloud Credential Theft

CVE (6)

People (2)

MITRE ATT&CK (1)

Vendors (1)

Products (2)

Note: Related entities, including threat actors, malware, CVEs, MITRE ATT&CK techniques, vendors, products, tools, countries, and industries, are shown when they appear in the same reporting. Their presence does not necessarily mean they were targeted, compromised, vulnerable, responsible for the activity, or directly involved in the incident.