CVE-2021-27020Network attack vector

Spreadsheet formula execution via unsanitized CSV export

Published Aug 30, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

CSV formula injection in Puppet Enterprise before 2019.8.6 allows attackers to embed executable formulas in exported reports. The CSV export path writes user-controlled cell values without neutralizing leading spreadsheet formula characters. Exploitation requires a user to export and open the crafted CSV in spreadsheet software, which interprets the injected cell with that user's permissions.

CVSS severity8.8
High
EPSS probability1.07%
Next 30 days · Sep 17, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

CSV formula injection in Puppet Enterprise before 2019.8.6 allows attackers to embed executable formulas in exported reports. The CSV export path writes user-controlled cell values without neutralizing leading spreadsheet formula characters. Exploitation requires a user to export and open the crafted CSV in spreadsheet software, which interprets the injected cell with that user's permissions.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-27020
Published
Aug 30, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
BlazeMeter
Product
Puppet Enterprise
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Aug 30, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 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=Puppet Enterprise prior to 2019.8.6

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

BlazeMeter · Puppet Enterpriseversion=Puppet Enterprise prior to 2019.8.6

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
8.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

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.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 11, 2026Sep 17, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 17, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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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