CVE-2020-16881: Visual Studio JSON Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
First published: Fri Sep 11 2020(Updated: )
<p>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.</p> <p>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.</p> <p>The update address the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code handles JSON files.</p>
Credit: secure@microsoft.com secure@microsoft.com
| Affected Software | Affected Version | How to fix |
|---|---|---|
| <1.48.1 | ||
| Microsoft Visual Studio Code | <1.48.1 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is CVE-2020-16881?
CVE-2020-16881 is a remote code execution vulnerability in Visual Studio Code.
How does CVE-2020-16881 occur?
CVE-2020-16881 occurs when a user is tricked into opening a malicious 'package.json' file in Visual Studio Code.
What is the severity of CVE-2020-16881?
CVE-2020-16881 has a severity rating of 7.8, which is considered critical.
Which versions of Visual Studio Code are affected by CVE-2020-16881?
Visual Studio Code versions up to and excluding 1.48.1 are affected by CVE-2020-16881.
How can I mitigate CVE-2020-16881?
To mitigate CVE-2020-16881, update your Visual Studio Code to a version above 1.48.1.
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