# CVE-2019-0546: Code injection in Microsoft Visual Studio

> Remote code execution in Visual Studio C++ compiler allows attackers to execute arbitrary code via specific C++ constructs.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 8 Jan 2019
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-qf4r-4c36-x6vv

## What is CVE-2019-0546?

CVE-2019-0546 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, published on 8 Jan 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

A remote code execution vulnerability exists in Visual Studio when the C++ compiler improperly handles specific combinations of C++ constructs, aka "Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability." This affects Microsoft Visual Studio.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2019-0546?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Microsoft Visual Studio 2017.

## How do I fix CVE-2019-0546?

No fix has been published for CVE-2019-0546 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2019-0546 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-0546 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017

- [CVE-2025-21178](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-21178/): Visual Studio Remote Code Execution Vulnerability (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-1349](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1349/): Code injection in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-1350](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1350/): Code injection in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-1352](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1352/): Code injection in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2019-1354](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-1354/): Code injection in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017 (high 8.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2019-0546 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2019-0546 is a high-severity code injection vulnerability in Microsoft Visual Studio 2017, published on 8 Jan 2019. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2019-0546 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: Microsoft Visual Studio 2017. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0546/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0546/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2019-0546
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-0546
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2019-0546

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2019-0546/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.