CVE-2020-17163: Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Severity: high (CVSS 7.8 v3.1)
Exploited in the wild: not listed in CISA KEV
EPSS: 0.6% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days
Public exploit or detection template: none known
Published: 2023-12-29 · updated 2026-08-19

Description

Visual Studio Code Python Extension Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Affected products

Microsoft Python extension for Visual Studio Code: before 2020.9.2 — fixed in 2020.9.2
Microsoft Python extension for Visual Studio Code: from 2020 before publication — fixed in publication

How to fix

Upgrade to a fixed version: Microsoft Python extension for Visual Studio Code 2020.9.2; Microsoft Python extension for Visual Studio Code publication. Check the vendor advisory for mitigations.

References

https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-17163
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2020-17163

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