CVE-2021-38424Network attack vector

Spreadsheet formula execution via tag injection

Published Nov 3, 2021 · Updated Sep 16, 2024

Formula injection in Delta Electronics DIALink 1.2.4.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute spreadsheet formulas via tag data. The tag interface writes attacker-controlled values into exported tag fields without neutralizing formula characters, so spreadsheet applications interpret entries beginning with formula markers as commands when the file is opened. Exploitation requires network access, suitable DIALink privileges, and a user opening the resulting data in a spreadsheet; consequences include unauthorized data access or command execution in that user's spreadsheet context.

CVSS severity5.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.51%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Formula injection in Delta Electronics DIALink 1.2.4.0 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to execute spreadsheet formulas via tag data. The tag interface writes attacker-controlled values into exported tag fields without neutralizing formula characters, so spreadsheet applications interpret entries beginning with formula markers as commands when the file is opened. Exploitation requires network access, suitable DIALink privileges, and a user opening the resulting data in a spreadsheet; consequences include unauthorized data access or command execution in that user's spreadsheet context.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-38424
Published
Nov 3, 2021
Updated
Sep 16, 2024
Vendor
Delta Electronics, Inc.
Product
DIALink
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 3, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 16, 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=All <=1.2.4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Delta Electronics, Inc. · DIALinkversion=All <=1.2.4.0

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
5.9ICS-CERTCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
7.8NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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