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

high Nessus Plugin ID 141452

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Synopsis

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

Description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio Code when the Python extension loads a Jupyter 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 addresses the vulnerability by modifying the way Visual Studio Code Python extension renders notebook content.

Note that Nessus has not tested for this issue but has instead relied only on the application's self-reported version number.

Solution

Upgrade Python Extension of VS Code to 2020.9.114305 or later.

Plugin Details

Severity: High

ID: 141452

File Name: microsoft_visual_studio_code_ms20_oct.nasl

Version: 1.9

Type: local

Agent: windows

Family: Windows

Published: 10/14/2020

Updated: 2/15/2024

Configuration: Enable thorough checks

Supported Sensors: Frictionless Assessment Agent, Nessus Agent, Nessus

Risk Information

VPR

Risk Factor: Medium

Score: 6.7

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-2020-16977

CVSS v3

Risk Factor: High

Base Score: 7

Temporal Score: 6.1

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

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

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: 10/6/2020

Vulnerability Publication Date: 10/13/2020

Reference Information

CVE: CVE-2020-16977

IAVA: 2020-A-0459-S

Detections

Analytics