CVE-2020-17163

Code execution via unsafe notebook rendering

Published Dec 29, 2023 · Updated Aug 19, 2026

Remote code execution in Microsoft's Python extension for Visual Studio Code before 2020.9.2 allows attackers to run code via a crafted file. The notebook renderer processes attacker-controlled content without adequate safeguards, permitting code execution in the editor context. Exploitation requires a user to open the crafted file in Visual Studio Code with the extension installed.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.59%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Remote code execution in Microsoft's Python extension for Visual Studio Code before 2020.9.2 allows attackers to run code via a crafted file. The notebook renderer processes attacker-controlled content without adequate safeguards, permitting code execution in the editor context. Exploitation requires a user to open the crafted file in Visual Studio Code with the extension installed.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-17163
Published
Dec 29, 2023
Updated
Aug 19, 2026
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Python extension for Visual Studio Code
Classifications
T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Dec 29, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 19, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=2020 <publication

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Python extension for Visual Studio Codeversion=2020 <publication

Published CVSS scores

7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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