CVE-2021-26700Public exploit

Code execution via workspace-controlled npm.bin executable

Published Feb 25, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Remote code execution in Microsoft Visual Studio Code npm Scripts Extension before 0.3.15 allows attackers to run code via a crafted workspace. The extension reads the workspace-controlled npm.bin setting and launches that value as the npm executable when package.json is viewed. A local user must open the attacker-supplied project and view package.json; the payload then runs with that user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability6.00%
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 Visual Studio Code npm Scripts Extension before 0.3.15 allows attackers to run code via a crafted workspace. The extension reads the workspace-controlled npm.bin setting and launches that value as the npm executable when package.json is viewed. A local user must open the attacker-supplied project and view package.json; the payload then runs with that user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-26700
Published
Feb 25, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Microsoft
Product
Visual Studio Code npm Scripts Extension
Classifications
CWE-78, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Feb 25, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record 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=0.1.0 <publication

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Microsoft · Visual Studio Code npm Scripts Extensionversion=0.1.0 <publication

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.8Microsoft CorporationCVSS: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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-78Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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