CWE-1236
AllowedImproper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
Abstraction: Base · Status: Incomplete
The product saves user-provided information into a Comma-Separated Value (CSV) file, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as a command when the file is opened by a spreadsheet product.
429 vulnerabilities reference this CWE, most recent first.
GHSA-5HVW-CMC2-MPJR
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2023-08-17 21:30 – Updated: 2024-04-04 07:01An issue in Atlos v.1.0 allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload into the description field in the incident function.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2023-38843"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2023-08-17T19:15:12Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "An issue in Atlos v.1.0 allows an authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary code via a crafted payload into the description field in the incident function.",
"id": "GHSA-5hvw-cmc2-mpjr",
"modified": "2024-04-04T07:01:58Z",
"published": "2023-08-17T21:30:53Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-38843"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://gist.github.com/senzee1984/ff30f0914db39d2741ab17332f0fc6e1"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/atlosdotorg/atlos"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5JFQ-Q2RX-7PXG
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2024-07-09 18:30 – Updated: 2024-07-09 18:30An improper neutralization of formula elements in a CSV File vulnerability [CWE-1236] in FortiAIOps version 2.0.0 may allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a client's workstation via poisoned CSV reports.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-27785"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2024-07-09T16:15:05Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "An improper neutralization of formula elements in a CSV File vulnerability [CWE-1236] in FortiAIOps version 2.0.0 may allow a remote authenticated attacker to execute arbitrary commands on a client\u0027s workstation via poisoned CSV reports.",
"id": "GHSA-5jfq-q2rx-7pxg",
"modified": "2024-07-09T18:30:49Z",
"published": "2024-07-09T18:30:49Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-27785"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://fortiguard.fortinet.com/psirt/FG-IR-24-073"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:N/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5P8H-XW8M-3W4J
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-11-07 12:00 – Updated: 2022-11-10 12:01The Contact Form Plugin WordPress plugin before 4.3.13 does not validate and escape fields when exporting form entries as CSV, leading to a CSV injection
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-3463"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2022-11-07T10:15:00Z",
"severity": "CRITICAL"
},
"details": "The Contact Form Plugin WordPress plugin before 4.3.13 does not validate and escape fields when exporting form entries as CSV, leading to a CSV injection",
"id": "GHSA-5p8h-xw8m-3w4j",
"modified": "2022-11-10T12:01:17Z",
"published": "2022-11-07T12:00:33Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-3463"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://wpscan.com/vulnerability/e2a59481-db45-4b8e-b17a-447303469364"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-5PH9-H7VG-RH4M
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2026-09-03 15:32 – Updated: 2026-09-09 21:31A CSV injection vulnerability exists in SYS600. Injected malicious formulas can add or modify data to the spreadsheet, insert links, exfiltrate data, and in some cases, depending on how the user has their environment configured, execute malicious code on the user’s machine. To exploit this issue attackers would need a way to create arbitrary log messages. This could be achieved through normal functionality via SCIL scripts, a log injection vulnerability, or via the SYS600 broker. This vulnerability affects all Windows users regardless of their privilege level who can run the Notify service and export the log.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2026-9852"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2026-09-03T13:06:25Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "A CSV injection vulnerability exists in SYS600. Injected malicious formulas can add or modify data to the spreadsheet, insert links, exfiltrate data, and in some cases, depending on how the user has their environment configured, execute malicious code on the user\u2019s machine. To exploit this issue attackers would need a way to create arbitrary log messages. This could be achieved through normal functionality via SCIL scripts, a log injection vulnerability, or via the SYS600 broker. This vulnerability affects all Windows users regardless of their privilege level who can run the Notify service and export the log.",
"id": "GHSA-5ph9-h7vg-rh4m",
"modified": "2026-09-09T21:31:15Z",
"published": "2026-09-03T15:32:21Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-9852"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://publisher.hitachienergy.com/preview?DocumentID=8DBD000249\u0026LanguageCode=en\u0026DocumentPartId=\u0026Action=Launch"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
},
{
"score": "CVSS:4.0/AV:L/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N/E:X/CR:X/IR:X/AR:X/MAV:X/MAC:X/MAT:X/MPR:X/MUI:X/MVC:X/MVI:X/MVA:X/MSC:X/MSI:X/MSA:X/S:X/AU:X/R:X/V:X/RE:X/U:X",
"type": "CVSS_V4"
}
]
}
GHSA-5VW2-J3G7-V489
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-12-30 21:30 – Updated: 2026-01-02 15:30A CSV Formula Injection vulnerability in TrueConf Server v5.5.2.10813 allows a normal user to inject malicious spreadsheet formulas into exported chat logs via crafted Display Name.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2025-66834"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-12-30T19:15:44Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A CSV Formula Injection vulnerability in TrueConf Server v5.5.2.10813 allows a normal user to inject malicious spreadsheet formulas into exported chat logs via crafted Display Name.",
"id": "GHSA-5vw2-j3g7-v489",
"modified": "2026-01-02T15:30:25Z",
"published": "2025-12-30T21:30:32Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-66834"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/x00nullbit/CVE-References/blob/main/CVE-2025-66834/README.md"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://trueconf.com"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-6267-49MH-P6X2
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 16:51 – Updated: 2024-03-21 03:33** DISPUTED ** In Joget Workflow 6.0.20, CSV Injection, also known as Formula Injection, exists, as demonstrated by jw/web/userview/crm_community/crm_userview_sales/_/account_new with the Account ID or Account Name field. NOTE: the vendor disputes the relevance of this finding because CSV is not the intended export format for spreadsheet applications.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2019-14352"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2019-07-28T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "** DISPUTED ** In Joget Workflow 6.0.20, CSV Injection, also known as Formula Injection, exists, as demonstrated by jw/web/userview/crm_community/crm_userview_sales/_/account_new with the Account ID or Account Name field. NOTE: the vendor disputes the relevance of this finding because CSV is not the intended export format for spreadsheet applications.",
"id": "GHSA-6267-49mh-p6x2",
"modified": "2024-03-21T03:33:41Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T16:51:35Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2019-14352"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/jogetworkflow/jw-community/issues/20"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
GHSA-634P-93H9-92VH
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-09-16 22:06 – Updated: 2022-09-19 20:20Impact
This GitHub Action creates a CSV file without sanitizing the output of the APIs. If an alert is dismissed or any other custom field contains executable code / formulas, it might be run when an endpoint opens that CSV file in a spreadsheet program. The data flow looks like this 👇🏻
graph TD
A(Repository) -->|developer dismissal, other data input| B(GitHub Advanced Security data)
B -->|ghas-to-csv| C(CSV file)
C -->|spreadsheet program| D(endpoint executes potentially malicious code)
Patches
Please use version v1 or later. That tag moves from using csv to defusedcsv to mitigate this problem.
Workarounds
There is no workaround. Please upgrade to using the latest tag, v1 (or later).
References
- CWE-1236 information from MITRE
- CSV injection information from OWASP
- CodeQL query for CWE-1236 in Python here
- PyPI site for
defusedcsvhere
For more information
If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:
- Open an issue in this repository here
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "GitHub Actions",
"name": "some-natalie/ghas-to-csv"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2022-39217"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236",
"CWE-74"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-09-16T22:06:55Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-09-17T00:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "### Impact\n\nThis GitHub Action creates a CSV file without sanitizing the output of the APIs. If an alert is dismissed or any other custom field contains executable code / formulas, it might be run when an endpoint opens that CSV file in a spreadsheet program. The data flow looks like this \ud83d\udc47\ud83c\udffb \n\n```mermaid\ngraph TD\n A(Repository) --\u003e|developer dismissal, other data input| B(GitHub Advanced Security data)\n B --\u003e|ghas-to-csv| C(CSV file)\n C --\u003e|spreadsheet program| D(endpoint executes potentially malicious code)\n```\n\n### Patches\n\nPlease use version `v1` or later. That tag moves from using `csv` to `defusedcsv` to mitigate this problem.\n\n### Workarounds\n\nThere is no workaround. Please upgrade to using the latest tag, `v1` (or later).\n\n### References\n\n* CWE-1236 information from [MITRE](https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/1236.html)\n* CSV injection information from [OWASP](https://owasp.org/www-community/attacks/CSV_Injection)\n* CodeQL query for CWE-1236 in Python [here](https://github.com/github/codeql/tree/main/python/ql/src/experimental/Security/CWE-1236)\n* PyPI site for `defusedcsv` [here](https://pypi.org/project/defusedcsv/)\n\n### For more information\n\nIf you have any questions or comments about this advisory:\n\n* Open an issue in this repository [here](https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv/issues)\n",
"id": "GHSA-634p-93h9-92vh",
"modified": "2022-09-19T20:20:23Z",
"published": "2022-09-16T22:06:55Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv/security/advisories/GHSA-634p-93h9-92vh"
},
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2022-39217"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv/issues/19"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv/pull/20"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv/commit/d0b521928fa734513b5cd9c7d9d8e09db50e884a"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/some-natalie/ghas-to-csv"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "ghas-to-csv vulnerable to Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File"
}
GHSA-639R-6P24-C5MM
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-05-24 17:46 – Updated: 2022-05-24 17:46Multiple vulnerabilities in the Admin audit log export feature and Scheduled Reports feature of Cisco Umbrella could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform formula and link injection attacks on an affected device. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-1475"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2021-04-08T04:15:00Z",
"severity": "MODERATE"
},
"details": "Multiple vulnerabilities in the Admin audit log export feature and Scheduled Reports feature of Cisco Umbrella could allow an authenticated, remote attacker to perform formula and link injection attacks on an affected device. For more information about these vulnerabilities, see the Details section of this advisory.",
"id": "GHSA-639r-6p24-c5mm",
"modified": "2022-05-24T17:46:52Z",
"published": "2022-05-24T17:46:52Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-1475"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://tools.cisco.com/security/center/content/CiscoSecurityAdvisory/cisco-sa-umbrella-inject-gbZGHP5T"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": []
}
GHSA-64FQ-9C6W-RQ44
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2022-04-09 00:00 – Updated: 2022-04-22 20:21A CSV Injection vulnerablity exists in Kimai Kimai 2 prior to 1.14.1 via a description in a new timesheet.
{
"affected": [
{
"package": {
"ecosystem": "Packagist",
"name": "kevinpapst/kimai2"
},
"ranges": [
{
"events": [
{
"introduced": "0"
},
{
"fixed": "1.14.1"
}
],
"type": "ECOSYSTEM"
}
]
}
],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2021-43515"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236"
],
"github_reviewed": true,
"github_reviewed_at": "2022-04-22T20:21:47Z",
"nvd_published_at": "2022-04-08T17:15:00Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "A CSV Injection vulnerablity exists in Kimai Kimai 2 prior to 1.14.1 via a description in a new timesheet.",
"id": "GHSA-64fq-9c6w-rq44",
"modified": "2022-04-22T20:21:47Z",
"published": "2022-04-09T00:00:25Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43515"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/kevinpapst/kimai2/pull/2532"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://github.com/kevinpapst/kimai2/commit/dad1b8b772947f1596175add1b4f33b791705507#diff-6774f5865dbaf8bc6c55b75bd92e6f9950ebe7834aa2efd828a19fd637e667cf"
},
{
"type": "PACKAGE",
"url": "https://github.com/kevinpapst/kimai2"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
],
"summary": "Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in Kimai 2"
}
GHSA-658Q-F487-R8H7
Vulnerability from github – Published: 2025-02-19 18:32 – Updated: 2025-02-19 18:32IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0
could allow an authenticated attacker to conduct formula injection. An attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system, caused by improper validation of file contents.
{
"affected": [],
"aliases": [
"CVE-2024-45084"
],
"database_specific": {
"cwe_ids": [
"CWE-1236",
"CWE-502"
],
"github_reviewed": false,
"github_reviewed_at": null,
"nvd_published_at": "2025-02-19T16:15:39Z",
"severity": "HIGH"
},
"details": "IBM Cognos Controller 11.0.0 through 11.0.1 FP3 and IBM Controller 11.1.0 \n\ncould allow an authenticated attacker to conduct formula injection. An attacker could execute arbitrary commands on the system, caused by improper validation of file contents.",
"id": "GHSA-658q-f487-r8h7",
"modified": "2025-02-19T18:32:23Z",
"published": "2025-02-19T18:32:22Z",
"references": [
{
"type": "ADVISORY",
"url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-45084"
},
{
"type": "WEB",
"url": "https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7183597"
}
],
"schema_version": "1.4.0",
"severity": [
{
"score": "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H",
"type": "CVSS_V3"
}
]
}
Mitigation
When generating CSV output, ensure that formula-sensitive metacharacters are effectively escaped or removed from all data before storage in the resultant CSV. Risky characters include '=' (equal), '+' (plus), '-' (minus), and '@' (at).
Mitigation
If a field starts with a formula character, prepend it with a ' (single apostrophe), which prevents Excel from executing the formula.
Mitigation
Certain implementations of spreadsheet software might disallow formulas from executing if the file is untrusted, or if the file is not authored by the current user.
No CAPEC attack patterns related to this CWE.