CVE-2023-7101: Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Should you act?

Exploited: patch now if you run it

CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.

• Yes, if you run Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-01-02, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-01-23; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
• EPSS 19.0%, percentile 97: FIRST’s model estimates a 19.0% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 97% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
• Needs local access needed. Lower urgency for most teams unless an attacker could already run code on the machine.

What it is

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.

CISA’s summary

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel contains a remote code execution 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 within the Excel parsing logic.

Weakness type: CWE-95.

Product: Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel · Assigned by: Mandiant · Published: 2023-12-24

Affected and fixed versions

Severity scores

• Attack vector: local access needed
• Attack complexity: low
• Privileges required: none (no login)
• User interaction: required (a user must click/open something)
• Scope: unchanged

CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.

Exploitation and urgency

• CISA KEV: added 2024-01-02; federal due date 2024-01-23. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
• CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
• CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable no, technical impact total.
• FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 18.96% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 97.

Timeline

• 2023-12-24 — CVE record published by Mandiant
• 2024-01-02 — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
• 2024-01-23 — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
• 2025-10-21 — CVE record last updated

Sources and references

Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.

Vendor and project advisories, patches

1. Listed in CISA KEV notes (metacpan.org) metacpan.org
2. Listed in CISA KEV notes (barracuda.com) barracuda.com

Vulnerability records

1. CVE.org record CVE-2023-7101 cve.org
2. NVD entry CVE-2023-7101 nvd.nist.gov

Government

1. CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry cisa.gov

Other references from the CVE record and advisory

1. github.com github.com
2. https: https:
3. https: https:
4. https: https:
5. github.com github.com
6. openwall.com openwall.com
7. lists.debian.org lists.debian.org
8. https: https:
9. lists.fedoraproject.org lists.fedoraproject.org
10. lists.fedoraproject.org lists.fedoraproject.org
11. security.metacpan.org security.metacpan.org

All exploited Spreadsheet::ParseExcel vulnerabilities · Today’s Security Digest