vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function
CVE-2026-54702 is a high-severity exposed dangerous method or function vulnerability in vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced from Shd101wyy, with a CVSS 4.0 base score of 7.3 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced versions: < 0.8.30. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.31% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on github.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shd101wyy | vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced | < 0.8.30 | Not stated |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Attack requirements
- PresentThe target must be in a specific state or configuration for the attack to work.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- PassiveA user only needs to do something routine, such as viewing a page.
- Confidentiality (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of confidentiality on the vulnerable system.
- Integrity (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of integrity on the vulnerable system.
- Availability (vulnerable system)
- HighSerious loss of availability on the vulnerable system.
- Confidentiality (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of confidentiality on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Integrity (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of integrity on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
- Availability (other systems)
- NoneNo loss of availability on systems beyond the vulnerable one.
Vector: CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:P/PR:N/UI:P/VC:H/VI:H/VA:H/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X. Scored by CNA (github.com).
Official description
Markdown Preview Enhanced is a Markdown preview extension for Visual Studio Code. Prior to 0.8.30, the webview message handler in src/preview-provider.ts accepts an attacker-controlled command value and attacker-controlled args, constructs a command in the _crossnote namespace, and invokes vscode.commands.executeCommand without an allowlist or type validation. JavaScript already executing in the preview webview can use this bridge to invoke privileged extension commands, including file modification, code-chunk execution, export-tool execution, and arbitrary URL opening, with attacker-selected arguments. Exploitation requires a separate webview JavaScript execution path, such as the independently tracked .crossnote/head.html injection, but no further authorization check protects the extension-host command boundary. This issue is fixed in version 0.8.30.
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: Exposed Dangerous Method or Function
The product provides an Applications Programming Interface (API) or similar interface for interaction with external actors, but the interface includes a dangerous method or function that is not properly restricted.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- If you must expose a method, make sure to perform input validation on all arguments, limit access to authorized parties, and protect against all possible vulnerabilities.
- Identify all exposed functionality. Explicitly list all functionality that must be exposed to some user or set of users. Identify which functionality may be: accessible to all users restricted to a small set of privileged users prevented from being directly accessible at all Ensure that the implemented code follows these expectations. This includes setting the appropriate access modifiers where applicable (public, private, protected, etc.) or not marking ActiveX controls safe-for-scripting.
More Exposed Dangerous Method or Function vulnerabilities (CWE-749)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: poc, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Patches and release notes
Other vulnerabilities in vscode-markdown-preview-enhanced
- 8.5 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
Recent Exposed Dangerous Method or Function vulnerabilities
- 9.9 Critical severity
- 8.0 High severity
- 8.1 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 8.3 High severity
- 8.7 High severity
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