CVE-2023-7101
HIGHCISA KEVEPSS 97th pctlDescription
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 v3 Vector
Exploitability
Impact
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploit Intelligence
Very high risk: more likely to be exploited than 97% of all known CVEs.
Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
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.
Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
Remediation due: 2024-01-23
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/29/4
- https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/blob/c7298592e102a375d43150cd002feed806557c15/lib/Spreadsheet/ParseExcel/Utility.pm#L171
- https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/2023/MNDT-2023-0019.md
- https://https://github.com/haile01/perl_spreadsheet_excel_rce_poc
- https://https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/commit/bd3159277e745468e2c553417b35d5d7dc7405bc
- https://https://metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcel
- https://https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7101
- https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00025.html
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/IFEHKULQRVXHIV7XXK2RGD4VQN6Y4CV5/
- https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/M2FIWDHRYTAAQLGM6AFOZVM7AFZ4H2ZR/
- https://security.metacpan.org/2024/02/10/vulnerable-spreadsheet-parsing-modules.html
- https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog?field_cve=CVE-2023-7101
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Start freeThis product uses NVD data but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. EPSS scores courtesy of FIRST.org (https://www.first.org/epss). Source: CISA KEV Catalog. Data as of 2025-10-24.