microsoft / microsoft/vscode-remote-release

Disable executables installed over SSH

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Description

Type: Bug

I connected to a remote server over SSH so I can browse files and run SSH commands in the termnal. It works well.

However shortly after I noticed that node was consuming several GB of RAM and swapping to disk (I only have 1GB). Also I don't have Node.js installed.

VS Code should never be installing things without my permission. I just want to browse the filesystem and use the terminal. This does not need a whole Node.js installation. Is there no way to disable this?

Extension version: 0.120.0
VS Code version: Code 1.106.3 (bf9252a2fb45be6893dd8870c0bf37e2e1766d61, 2025-11-25T22:28:18.024Z)
OS version: Darwin arm64 24.6.0
Modes:
Remote OS version: Linux x64 6.12.58-gentoo

System Info
Item Value
CPUs Apple M4 Max (16 x 2400)
GPU Status 2d_canvas: enabled
direct_rendering_display_compositor: disabled_off_ok
gpu_compositing: enabled
multiple_raster_threads: enabled_on
opengl: enabled_on
rasterization: enabled
raw_draw: disabled_off_ok
skia_graphite: enabled_on
trees_in_viz: disabled_off
video_decode: enabled
video_encode: enabled
webgl: enabled
webgl2: enabled
webgpu: enabled
webnn: disabled_off
Load (avg) 1, 1, 1
Memory (System) 128.00GB (1.15GB free)
Process Argv --crash-reporter-id d0d24dbf-e443-4bf0-aa9b-bc68a67cdae1
Screen Reader no
VM 0%
Item Value
Remote SSH: tkmizparty-dev.awwright.name
OS Linux x64 6.12.58-gentoo
CPUs AMD EPYC-Genoa Processor (1 x 0)
Memory (System) 0.94GB (0.35GB free)
VM 0%
A/B Experiments
vsliv368:30146709
binariesv615:30325510
nativeloc1:31344060
dwcopilot:31170013
dwoutputs:31242946
copilot_t_ci:31333650
e5gg6876:31282496
pythonrdcb7:31342333
aj953862:31281341
nes-set-on:31340697
6abeh943:31336334
envsactivate1:31353494
cloudbuttont:31379625
todos-1:31405332
qwen_all_req:31402696
3efgi100_wstrepl:31403338
trigger-command-fix:31379601
auto_model_enabled:31385282
use-responses-api:31390855
anonusage:31403420
ec5jj548:31422691
terminalsuggestenabled:31426255
cp_cls_c_966_ss:31426491
defaultvisibility:31426295
expandedtokens:31426297
c0683394:31419495
478ah919:31426797
7gj03587:31426750
a5gib710:31426782

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

No source files, tests, or entry points are identified in the report. Start by reproducing the SSH connection on a low-memory remote Linux host and identify which component installs and runs node. Done means the behavior is understood and users have a reliable way to prevent unwanted executable installation.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
vscode
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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