CVE-2020-36962Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Spreadsheet command execution via unescaped CSV form values

Published Jan 28, 2026 · Updated Jan 28, 2026

CSV formula injection in Tendenci 12.3.1 allows remote attackers to place executable formulas in exported contact-form data via crafted messages. The form_entries_to_csv_writer function copies each FieldEntry.value into a CSV row without neutralizing leading formula characters, causing spreadsheet evaluation. An authenticated administrator must export the entries, open the CSV in a formula-capable spreadsheet, and approve execution prompts.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability11.10%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

CSV formula injection in Tendenci 12.3.1 allows remote attackers to place executable formulas in exported contact-form data via crafted messages. The form_entries_to_csv_writer function copies each FieldEntry.value into a CSV row without neutralizing leading formula characters, causing spreadsheet evaluation. An authenticated administrator must export the entries, open the CSV in a formula-capable spreadsheet, and approve execution prompts.

The record

CVE
CVE-2020-36962
Published
Jan 28, 2026
Updated
Jan 28, 2026
Vendor
Tendenci
Product
Tendenci
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jan 28, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Jan 28, 2026Record 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=12.3.1

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Tendenci · Tendenciversion=12.3.1

Published CVSS scores

9.8VulnCheckCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
5.3VulnCheckCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N

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
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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