---
title: "CVE-2023-7101: Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability"
url: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-7101/
description: "CVE-2023-7101 (Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel): Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module…"
type: vulnerability-record
section: "Security Digest"
date_published: 2023-12-24
date_modified: 2025-10-21
publisher: erroneo.us
author: erroneo.us Security Desk
cve: "CVE-2023-7101"
kev: true
cvss: 7.8
epss: 0.18959
license: All rights reserved. Quote with attribution and a link.
---

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

**Signal:** Exploited: patch now if you run it. CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. (Computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS; not an editorial verdict.)

## Should you act?

- 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.

## Affected products (CVE record)

- Douglas Wilson Spreadsheet::ParseExcel: 0.65

## Severity

- CISA-ADP CVSS 3.1: 7.8 `CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`

## Exploitation

- 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.

## Sources

- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (metacpan.org)](https://metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcel)
- [Listed in CISA KEV notes (barracuda.com)](https://www.barracuda.com/company/legal/esg-vulnerability)
- [CVE.org record CVE-2023-7101](https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7101)
- [NVD entry CVE-2023-7101](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-7101)
- [CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog entry](https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-7101)
- [github.com](https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/2023/MNDT-2023-0019.md)
- [https:](https://https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7101)
- [https:](https://https://metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcel)
- [https:](https://https://github.com/haile01/perl_spreadsheet_excel_rce_poc)
- [github.com](https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/blob/c7298592e102a375d43150cd002feed806557c15/lib/Spreadsheet/ParseExcel/Utility.pm#L171)
- [openwall.com](http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/29/4)
- [lists.debian.org](https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00025.html)
- [https:](https://https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/commit/bd3159277e745468e2c553417b35d5d7dc7405bc)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/IFEHKULQRVXHIV7XXK2RGD4VQN6Y4CV5/)
- [lists.fedoraproject.org](https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists.fedoraproject.org/message/M2FIWDHRYTAAQLGM6AFOZVM7AFZ4H2ZR/)
- [security.metacpan.org](https://security.metacpan.org/2024/02/10/vulnerable-spreadsheet-parsing-modules.html)

---
Source page: https://erroneo.us/security/cve/CVE-2023-7101/ · Security Digest: https://erroneo.us/security/ · More: https://erroneo.us/llms.txt