CVE-2021-40848

Local command execution via unneutralized CSV formulas

Published Nov 3, 2021 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

CSV injection in Mahara before 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, and 21.10.0 allows attackers to execute formulas through exported data. The CSV export path writes formula-leading field values without neutralizing characters that spreadsheet software interprets as executable expressions. Execution requires a user to open the CSV in a spreadsheet that evaluates the crafted cell, and resulting commands run locally on that device.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability0.99%
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 Mahara before 20.04.5, 20.10.3, 21.04.2, and 21.10.0 allows attackers to execute formulas through exported data. The CSV export path writes formula-leading field values without neutralizing characters that spreadsheet software interprets as executable expressions. Execution requires a user to open the CSV in a spreadsheet that evaluates the crafted cell, and resulting commands run locally on that device.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-40848
Published
Nov 3, 2021
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Nov 3, 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?

Affected buildAffected product and version details are unavailable.

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
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.

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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)
Vectorlocal
PrivilegesUnavailable
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.

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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