CVE-2025-8217 is a vulnerability identified in the Amazon Q Developer Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extension version 1.84.0. This extension contains embedded inert malicious code designed to invoke the Q Developer Command Line Interface (CLI) when the extension is launched within the VS Code environment. The embedded code is intended to execute automatically without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. However, due to a syntax error in the injected code, the malicious payload fails to successfully make API calls to the Q Developer CLI, rendering the exploit ineffective in its current form. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-506, which pertains to embedded malicious code within software components. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.1 (medium severity), reflecting limited impact due to the code’s inert state and lack of successful exploitation. The attack vector is local (AV:L), meaning the attacker must have local access to the system where the extension is installed. No privileges are required (PR:N), and no user interaction is necessary (UI:N). The vulnerability impacts confidentiality to a limited extent (VI:L) but does not affect integrity, availability, or other security properties. The issue was publicly disclosed on July 30, 2025, and the recommended mitigation is to upgrade to version 1.85.0 of the extension, which removes the malicious code. All installations of version 1.84.0 should be removed to prevent potential exploitation if the syntax error is corrected or exploited in the future. There are no known exploits in the wild at this time.

For European organizations, the primary impact of this vulnerability lies in the potential for embedded malicious code to execute within development environments, which could lead to unauthorized access or data leakage if the code were to function as intended. Although the current syntax error prevents exploitation, the presence of such code undermines trust in the software supply chain and developer tools. Organizations relying on the Amazon Q Developer VS Code extension for software development could face risks related to intellectual property theft or compromise of development workflows if a future version of the malicious code becomes active. The local attack vector limits the threat to insiders or attackers with local system access, reducing the risk of widespread remote exploitation. However, given the critical role of development environments in software production, any compromise could have cascading effects on software integrity and confidentiality. European organizations should be vigilant in patch management and verifying the integrity of development tools to maintain secure software supply chains.

1. Immediate removal of Amazon Q Developer VS Code extension version 1.84.0 from all developer workstations and build servers. 2. Upgrade to version 1.85.0 or later, which addresses the vulnerability by removing the embedded malicious code. 3. Implement strict software supply chain security practices, including verifying extension signatures and hashes before installation. 4. Monitor developer environments for unusual CLI calls or network activity related to the Q Developer CLI. 5. Educate developers and IT staff about the risks of using unverified or outdated extensions. 6. Employ endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous local execution behaviors. 7. Regularly audit installed VS Code extensions and maintain an approved list to prevent unauthorized or vulnerable extensions from being used. 8. Establish policies for extension updates and vulnerability patching within development teams to ensure timely remediation.