CVE-2020-36503Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Spreadsheet command execution via unfiltered export fields

Published Nov 1, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

CSV injection in Steven A. Zahm Connections Business Directory before 9.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute formulas through exported fields. The Export All path in class.csv-export-batch-all.php calls getData(), which returns every stored connection field to CSV without neutralizing formula prefixes. Administrator access is required to save the crafted field and export the file, and spreadsheet execution still requires a user to open that CSV.

CVSS severity8.0
High
EPSS probability1.25%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

CSV injection in Steven A. Zahm Connections Business Directory before 9.7 allows remote authenticated users to execute formulas through exported fields. The Export All path in class.csv-export-batch-all.php calls getData(), which returns every stored connection field to CSV without neutralizing formula prefixes. Administrator access is required to save the crafted field and export the file, and spreadsheet execution still requires a user to open that CSV.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36503
Published
Nov 1, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Steven A. Zahm
Product
Connections Business Directory
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
admin

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 1, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 4, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=9.7 <9.7

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesadmin

What is affected?

Steven A. Zahm · Connections Business Directoryversion=9.7 <9.7

Published CVSS scores

8.0NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
6.0NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesadmin
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-1236Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
T1204.002User Execution: Malicious File

Public exploit references

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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