Many Unsolicited SSH Connection Attempts
Bug Report
Introduction
As a user of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) on macOS, I have been experiencing a concerning issue with unsolicited SSH connection attempts. These attempts trigger the TouchID prompt, which is a system-wide modal dialog, making it invasive and disrupting my workflow. I am unsure whether any of my enabled extensions are at fault, and I am seeking a way to debug and identify the source of these connection attempts.
System and Extension Information
- VS Code Version: Code 1.98.1 (Universal) (2fc07b811f760549dab9be9d2bedd06c51dfcb9a, 2025-03-10T15:38:08.854Z)
- OS Version: Darwin arm64 24.3.0
- Extensions: 14 extensions are enabled, including Copilot, Remote-SSH, and Rust-Analyzer.
System Info
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| CPUs | Apple M1 Max (10 x 2400) |
| GPU Status | 2d_canvas: enabled canvas_oop_rasterization: enabled_on 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: disabled_off video_decode: enabled video_encode: enabled webgl: enabled webgl2: enabled webgpu: enabled webnn: disabled_off |
| Load (avg) | 2, 4, 4 |
| Memory (System) | 64.00GB (8.55GB free) |
| Process Argv | --crash-reporter-id 340097ba-bfe5-4da5-b466-1b1cdc0f41f6 |
| Screen Reader | no |
| VM | 0% |
Extensions
| Extension | Author (truncated) | Version |
|---|---|---|
| biome | bio | 2.3.2 |
| vscode-eslint | dba | 3.0.10 |
| gitlens | eam | 16.3.2 |
| prettier-vscode | esb | 11.0.0 |
| dependi | fil | 0.7.13 |
| copilot | Git | 1.284.0 |
| copilot-chat | Git | 0.25.0 |
| vscode-github-actions | git | 0.27.1 |
| remote-ssh | ms- | 0.118.0 |
| remote-ssh-edit | ms- | 0.87.0 |
| remote-explorer | ms- | 0.4.3 |
| reviewai | rev | 0.8.3 |
| rust-analyzer | rus | 0.3.2337 |
| vscode-stylelint | sty | 1.4.0 |
A/B Experiments
vsliv368:30146709
vspor879:30202332
vspor708:30202333
vspor363:30204092
vscod805cf:30301675
binariesv615:30325510
py29gd2263:31024239
c4g48928:30535728
azure-dev_surveyone:30548225
vscrp:30673768
962ge761:30959799
h48ei257:31000450
pythontbext0:30879054
cppperfnew:31000557
dwnewjupyter:31046869
nativerepl2:31139839
pythonrstrctxt:31112756
nativeloc2:31192216
iacca1:31171482
5fd0e150:31155592
dwcopilot:31170013
6074i472:31201624
dwoutputs:31242946
customenabled:31248079
hdaa2157:31222309
copilot_c_ci:31222729
f5992895:31254866
jda6j935:31233686
bgtreat:31257678
fh1c7952:31258891
h6j33387:31256343
Debugging and Investigation
To debug and identify the source of these unsolicited SSH connection attempts, I will follow these steps:
- Check for updates: Ensure that all extensions are up-to-date, as new versions may resolve the issue.
- Disable extensions: Temporarily disable all extensions and restart VS Code to see if the issue persists.
- Check for conflicts: Investigate potential conflicts between extensions, as some may be interacting with each other in unexpected ways.
- Review logs: Examine the VS Code logs to see if there are any error messages or clues related to the SSH connection attempts.
- Test with a minimal setup: Create a new VS Code instance with only the necessary extensions and test if the issue persists.
Conclusion
The unsolicited SSH connection attempts are disrupting my workflow and requiring immediate attention. By following the debugging and investigation steps outlined above, I aim to identify the source of the issue and resolve it to prevent further disruptions.
Possible Solutions
- Update extensions: Ensure that all extensions are up-to-date, as new versions may resolve the issue.
- Disable conflicting extensions: Temporarily disable extensions that may be interacting with each other in unexpected ways.
- Review logs: Examine the VS Code logs to see if there are any error messages or clues related to the SSH connection attempts.
- Test with a minimal setup: Create a new VS Code instance with only the necessary extensions and test if the issue persists.
Future Work
To prevent similar issues in the future, I will:
- Regularly update extensions: Ensure that all extensions are up-to-date to prevent compatibility issues.
- Monitor logs: Regularly review the VS Code logs to identify potential issues before they become major problems.
- Test with a minimal setup: Create a new VS Code instance with only the necessary extensions and test if the issue persists.
By following these steps and implementing the suggested solutions, I aim to resolve the issue and prevent similar disruptions in the future.
Introduction
As a user of Visual Studio Code (VS Code) on macOS, I have been experiencing a concerning issue with unsolicited SSH connection attempts. These attempts trigger the TouchID prompt, which is a system-wide modal dialog, making it invasive and disrupting my workflow. In this Q&A article, I will address some of the most frequently asked questions related to this issue.
Q: What is the cause of the unsolicited SSH connection attempts?
A: The exact cause of the unsolicited SSH connection attempts is still unknown. However, it is possible that one or more of the enabled extensions are interacting with each other in unexpected ways, leading to this issue.
Q: How can I debug and identify the source of the issue?
A: To debug and identify the source of the issue, you can follow these steps:
- Check for updates: Ensure that all extensions are up-to-date, as new versions may resolve the issue.
- Disable extensions: Temporarily disable all extensions and restart VS Code to see if the issue persists.
- Check for conflicts: Investigate potential conflicts between extensions, as some may be interacting with each other in unexpected ways.
- Review logs: Examine the VS Code logs to see if there are any error messages or clues related to the SSH connection attempts.
- Test with a minimal setup: Create a new VS Code instance with only the necessary extensions and test if the issue persists.
Q: Can I prevent the TouchID prompt from appearing?
A: Unfortunately, it is not possible to prevent the TouchID prompt from appearing when an unsolicited SSH connection attempt is made. However, you can try to disable the TouchID prompt by going to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and unchecking the box next to Require password for Touch ID.
Q: How can I prevent similar issues in the future?
A: To prevent similar issues in the future, you can:
- Regularly update extensions: Ensure that all extensions are up-to-date to prevent compatibility issues.
- Monitor logs: Regularly review the VS Code logs to identify potential issues before they become major problems.
- Test with a minimal setup: Create a new VS Code instance with only the necessary extensions and test if the issue persists.
Q: Can I report this issue to the VS Code team?
A: Yes, you can report this issue to the VS Code team by creating a new issue on the VS Code GitHub repository. Be sure to include as much detail as possible, including the steps you have taken to debug and identify the issue.
Q: Are there any known workarounds for this issue?
A: Unfortunately, there are no known workarounds for this issue. However, by following the steps outlined above, you may be able to identify and resolve the issue.
Q: Can I disable SSH connections altogether?
A: Yes, you can disable SSH connections altogether by going to File > Preferences > Settings and searching for ssh. Then, toggle the switch next to SSH to disable it.
Q: How can I stay up-to-date with the latest developments on this issue?
A: You can stay up-to-date with the latest developments on this issue by:
- Following the VS Code GitHub repository: Create a new issue on the VS Code GitHub repository and follow the conversation.
- Subscribing to the VS Code newsletter: Subscribe to the VS Code newsletter to receive updates on new features, bug fixes, and other important announcements.
- Joining the VS Code community: Join the VS Code community on Reddit or Stack Overflow to connect with other users and developers.
By following these steps and staying up-to-date with the latest developments, you can help resolve this issue and prevent similar disruptions in the future.