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

Q: How do I fix CVE-2021-30124?

vscode-phpmd: upgrade to 1.3.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Q: Is CVE-2021-30124 being exploited?

CVE-2021-30124 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

Q: What does CVE-2021-30124 affect?

CVE-2021-30124 affects vscode-phpmd. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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.

Q: How urgent is CVE-2021-30124?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

This week

CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEUPGRADE

CVE-2021-30124 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting vscode-phpmd. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

Critical severity
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	3.0% (top 12%)
CISA exploited list	No
Published	2021-07-30
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: vscode-phpmd project

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2021-07-30 14:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 03:49 UTCUpdated Record last modified

vscode-phpmd project vscode-phpmd UPGRADE

Affected: < 1.3.0

Fixed in: 1.3.0

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy vscode-phpmd || rpm -q vscode-phpmd || vscode-phpmd --version

2. UPGRADE to 1.3.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade vscode-phpmd

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade vscode-phpmd

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2021-30124?

vscode-phpmd: upgrade to 1.3.0. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2021-30124 being exploited?

CVE-2021-30124 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2021-30124 affect?

CVE-2021-30124 affects vscode-phpmd. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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.

How urgent is CVE-2021-30124?

Priority 61/100. Critical severity; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Software pages

PHP vulnerabilities · Visual Studio vulnerabilities

References

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