VSCode Extension Deployment with Intune - Björn Sundling, David Sass - PSConfEU 2025
June 23-26, 2025
Clarion Malmö Live
https://github.com/psconfeu/2025 (slides, code)
(final cut)
Abstract:
The VS Code extension marketplace is a double-edged sword: it gives us countless extensions which make our lives a lot ...easier, but on the other hand it contains malicious extensions impersonating popular tools or just plain simple info stealers. This means there is a significant risk that these extensions can leak your developer credentials together with your source code, and as is stands today we lack a clear way to manage these risk.
In this session, we’ll design and implement a governance solution using the combination of PowerShell, CI/CD workflows, pipelines, and artifacts together with code scanning, and finally with Intune to mitigate these risks. By the end, you’ll have a framework adaptable to other package ecosystems like NuGet and npm, bringing a scalable, enterprise-ready layer of security to your development workflows.
Summary (autogen):
This session focuses on deploying Visual Studio Code (VS Code) extensions using Microsoft Intune, led by David and Björn. The discussion begins with a light-hearted introduction, emphasizing their backgrounds and expertise in the fields of Intune and DevOps. David, a security domain architect, explains the need for managing supply chain risks, particularly for developers and system admins who often handle sensitive data and privileged access. Both speakers highlight serious incidents in the tech community, such as NotPetya and SolarWinds, where supply chain vulnerabilities led to significant breaches, emphasizing the urgent need for improved security practices in the software development lifecycle.
David continues by outlining the unique risks posed by the VS Code extension marketplace. As the industry witnesses an increase in malicious extensions targeting developers, the importance of vetting these tools becomes crucial. They share alarming instances where popular extensions contained vulnerabilities, putting countless users at risk. This vulnerability landscape drives home the message that security should not compromise developer experience; rather, proactive security measures should be integrated into the development process to enhance both productivity and safety.
Björn introduces the technical aspects of their project aimed at automating the installation and verification of trusted VS Code extensions via Intune. The starting point of the project was to establish a method for users to easily request new extensions without going through cumbersome approval processes. They envision a curated list of extensions that are both securely vetted and readily accessible, allowing developers to install approved tools through a straightforward self-service model. The speakers emphasize the importance of seamlessly integrating security checks into their workflow, such as verifying downloaded extensions against known signatures and running them through appropriate security tools.
A significant part of the discussion revolves around the intricacies of building a solution that can download and validate VS Code extensions. David and Björn delve into the technical challenges overcome in developing a working script to retrieve metadata and download the requisite VSIX packages from the Visual Studio Marketplace. They explain the process of reverse-engineering the APIs, which are not formally documented, showcasing their problem-solving skills in navigating technical constraints. The integration of these packages into Intune via PowerShell scripts forms the backbone of their solution, with a particular focus on ensuring that users get the correct versions of extensions while minimizing security risks.
Chapters:
00:00:00 VSCode Extension Deployment with Intune - Börn Sundling, David Sass - PSConfEU 2025
00:00:39 Introduction to VS Code Extensions
00:00:55 Supply Chain Risks in Development
00:06:11 The Importance of Security in Tools
00:08:13 Curating Trusted Extensions
00:09:46 Automating Software Installation with Intune
00:10:26 The Challenges of VS Code Extension Management
00:12:48 Implementing a Package Verification Process
00:15:04 Creating a User-Friendly Extension Request System
00:16:51 Verifying Downloaded Extensions
00:19:36 Uploading Extensions to Azure Blob Storage
00:23:05 Intune's Role in Extension Delivery
00:24:54 Packaging Extensions for Intune
00:30:37 Logging and Monitoring Installations
00:32:26 Future Improvements and Next StepsShow More
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