CVE-2021-28832

Code execution via workspace-scoped keybinding and executable settings

Published Apr 5, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Improper access control in VSCodeVim before 1.19.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary binaries through a crafted workspace. The extension accepts workspace-level key-remapping and Neovim path settings, letting untrusted configuration hijack keystrokes or select an arbitrary executable. Execution requires a user to open the malicious workspace and invoke the affected configuration, after which code runs with the Visual Studio Code user's privileges.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.22%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper access control in VSCodeVim before 1.19.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary binaries through a crafted workspace. The extension accepts workspace-level key-remapping and Neovim path settings, letting untrusted configuration hijack keystrokes or select an arbitrary executable. Execution requires a user to open the malicious workspace and invoke the affected configuration, after which code runs with the Visual Studio Code user's privileges.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-28832
Published
Apr 5, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-284, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 5, 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 vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

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

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 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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