CVE-2023-7101

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution

7.8 HIGHActively exploited (CISA KEV)EPSS 19.1%

Published24 Dec 2023
Added to CISA KEV2 Jan 2024
Remediation due23 Jan 2024

Description

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing logic.

CVSS 3.1 breakdown

Attack vectorLocal

Attack complexityLow

Privileges requiredNone

User interactionRequired

ScopeUnchanged

ConfidentialityHigh

IntegrityHigh

AvailabilityHigh

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

Affected products

Jmcnamara Spreadsheet::parseexcel≤ 0.65

Debian Linux10.0

Fedoraproject Fedora38 · 39

Remediation

No fixed version is recorded in the NVD data. Check the vendor advisory for the latest guidance.

Patch & vendor advisories

References

https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/blob/c7298592e102a375d43150cd002feed806557c15/lib/Spreadsheet/ParseExcel/Utility.pm#L171Product
https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/2023/MNDT-2023-0019.mdThird Party Advisory
https://https://github.com/haile01/perl_spreadsheet_excel_rce_pocBroken LinkThird Party Advisory
https://https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/commit/bd3159277e745468e2c553417b35d5d7dc7405bcBroken LinkPatch
https://https://metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcelBroken LinkProduct
https://https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7101Broken LinkThird Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00025.htmlMailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/IFEHKULQRVXHIV7XXK2RGD4VQN6Y4CV5/Broken LinkMailing List
https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/M2FIWDHRYTAAQLGM6AFOZVM7AFZ4H2ZR/Broken LinkMailing List
https://security.metacpan.org/2024/02/10/vulnerable-spreadsheet-parsing-modules.htmlThird Party Advisory

and 2 more references

Related CVEs

Recent high-severity vulnerabilities sharing a weakness type.

Frequently asked

Is CVE-2023-7101 being actively exploited?

Yes. CVE-2023-7101 is listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog, added 2 Jan 2024.

How severe is CVE-2023-7101?

CVE-2023-7101 has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8, rated high. EPSS estimates a 19.1% probability of exploitation.

Which products are affected by CVE-2023-7101?

Affected products include Jmcnamara Spreadsheet::parseexcel, Debian Linux, Fedoraproject Fedora.

How do I fix CVE-2023-7101?

Apply the vendor's patch or advisory guidance, then verify no affected versions remain across your devices.

How Secuno handles this

Secuno correlates vulnerabilities like CVE-2023-7101 against the real software inventory on every managed device, every day. Rather than a static severity, each match is scored in context: exploit availability, EPSS, the asset's exposure, and business criticality decide where it lands in the queue. Because it is on the CISA KEV list, Secuno flags any affected asset as top-priority automatically. If an affected version is present anywhere across your portfolio, it surfaces automatically with a prioritised remediation path.

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Data from the NVD, CISA KEV catalog and FIRST EPSS. CVSS 3.1 base score shown where available.