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CVE-2021-30124: The unofficial vscode-phpmd (aka PHP Mess Detector) extension before 1.3.0 for Visual Studio Code allows re...

The unofficial vscode-phpmd (aka PHP Mess Detector) extension before 1.3.0 for Visual Studio Code allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted phpmd.command value in a workspace folder.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysishigh

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

This issue affects the unofficial vscode-phpmd Visual Studio Code extension before 1.3.0. A malicious workspace could set phpmd.command in a way that causes arbitrary code execution. The main business risk is compromise of developer workstations when developers open untrusted or attacker-supplied project folders.

Executive priority

Prioritize remediation for engineering teams that handle external repositories, contractor code, or customer-provided projects. The issue can affect developer endpoints, which often have source-code and credential access, but evidence of active exploitation is not provided.

Technical view

CVE-2021-30124 is a workspace-configuration command execution issue in vscode-phpmd before 1.3.0. The vulnerable behavior trusts a crafted phpmd.command value from a workspace folder, allowing attacker-controlled command execution in the VS Code extension context. No CVSS, CWE, or CPE data is provided in the source bundle.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to developers with the unofficial ecodes.vscode-phpmd extension installed below version 1.3.0 who open untrusted workspaces or repositories containing crafted settings.

Exploitation context

The CVE describes remote attackers using a crafted workspace folder setting. The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing, public exploitation in the wild, or a weaponized exploit. Treat this as opportunistic developer-workstation risk, not confirmed active exploitation.

Researcher notes

Key missing data includes CVSS metrics, CWE classification, exact affected package metadata, and exploitation evidence. The strongest source-grounded indicators are the CVE description, the independent advisory, and the referenced fixing commit for behavior before 1.3.0.

Mitigation direction

  • Update vscode-phpmd to version 1.3.0 or later where available.
  • Disable or remove the extension if it is not required.
  • Avoid opening untrusted project folders with vulnerable VS Code extensions enabled.
  • Review vendor, marketplace, and advisory guidance for current remediation details.
  • Restrict workspace settings trust for repositories from unknown sources.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory developer machines for the ecodes.vscode-phpmd extension.
  • Confirm installed versions are 1.3.0 or later.
  • Review workspace settings for unexpected phpmd.command values.
  • Check endpoint telemetry for unusual VS Code-spawned child processes.
  • Confirm developers use VS Code Workspace Trust for untrusted repositories.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
5

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.

description · low confidence lookup

Execution behavior lookup

The CVE wording references code or command execution, so execution technique review may help defensive triage. This is a Glexia inferred lookup path, not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, or CVE Program mapping.

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cve · low confidence lookup

CVE-2021-30124 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
4Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.