CVE-2021-28794Network attack vector

Code execution via workspace-controlled executable path

Published Mar 18, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Code execution in ShellCheck for Visual Studio Code before 0.13.4 allows context-dependent attackers to run binaries via a crafted workspace. The extension accepts shellcheck.executablePath from workspace configuration and launches the referenced binary instead of restricting that setting to machine scope. A user must open an attacker-controlled workspace; the binary then runs with that user's Visual Studio Code privileges.

CVSS severity9.8
Critical
EPSS probability1.83%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Code execution in ShellCheck for Visual Studio Code before 0.13.4 allows context-dependent attackers to run binaries via a crafted workspace. The extension accepts shellcheck.executablePath from workspace configuration and launches the referenced binary instead of restricting that setting to machine scope. A user must open an attacker-controlled workspace; the binary then runs with that user's Visual Studio Code privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28794
Published
Mar 18, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-284, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 18, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

7.5NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
9.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/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)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-284Improper Access Control
T1204.002Malicious File

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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