How severe is CVE-2021-28790?

CVE-2021-28790 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.

Is CVE-2021-28790 being actively exploited?

It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.

What products are affected by CVE-2021-28790?

CVE-2021-28790 affects Swiftlint Project Swiftlint. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.

How do I fix CVE-2021-28790?

Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.

When was CVE-2021-28790 published?

CVE-2021-28790 was published on 2021-03-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

CVE-2021-28790

CVE-2021-28790 is a high-severity vulnerability in Swiftlint Project Swiftlint with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low.

Key facts

Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.8)
CVSS v2: 6.8
EPSS exploit prediction: 2% (74th percentile)
Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
Affected product: Swiftlint Project Swiftlint
Published: 2021-03-18
Last modified: 2026-06-17

Description

The unofficial SwiftLint extension before 1.4.5 for Visual Studio Code allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by constructing a malicious workspace with a crafted swiftlint.path configuration value that triggers execution upon opening the workspace.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2021-28790?: The unofficial SwiftLint extension before 1.4.5 for Visual Studio Code allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by constructing a malicious workspace with a crafted swiftlint.path configuration value that triggers execution upon opening the workspace.
How severe is CVE-2021-28790?: CVE-2021-28790 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.8, rated high severity. It is exploitable over local access with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity high, and availability high.
Is CVE-2021-28790 being actively exploited?: It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 2% (74th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2021-28790?: CVE-2021-28790 affects Swiftlint Project Swiftlint. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
How do I fix CVE-2021-28790?: Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
When was CVE-2021-28790 published?: CVE-2021-28790 was published on 2021-03-18 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (1)

cpe:2.3:a:swiftlint_project:swiftlint:*:*:*:*:*:visual_studio_code:*:*