CVE-2021-43515

Spreadsheet formula execution via unsanitized timesheet descriptions

Published Apr 8, 2022 · Updated Aug 4, 2024

CSV injection in Kimai 2 before 1.14.1 allows attackers to plant spreadsheet formulas through new timesheet descriptions. The export path writes the attacker-controlled description into CSV output without neutralizing leading formula characters; the 1.14.1 patch adds DDE sanitization in StringHelper and the spreadsheet renderer. Timesheet-creation access is required, and another user must export and open the CSV in a formula-interpreting spreadsheet for the payload to execute.

CVSS severity7.8
High
EPSS probability1.01%
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 Kimai 2 before 1.14.1 allows attackers to plant spreadsheet formulas through new timesheet descriptions. The export path writes the attacker-controlled description into CSV output without neutralizing leading formula characters; the 1.14.1 patch adds DDE sanitization in StringHelper and the spreadsheet renderer. Timesheet-creation access is required, and another user must export and open the CSV in a formula-interpreting spreadsheet for the payload to execute.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-43515
Published
Apr 8, 2022
Updated
Aug 4, 2024
Vendor
Unknown vendor
Product
Unknown product
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
Unavailable
Privileges
Unavailable

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Apr 8, 2022CVE 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 vectorUnavailable in this record.
Required privilegesUnavailable in this record.

What is affected?

Affected products and versions are unavailable in this record.

Published CVSS scores

6.8NIST NVDAV:N/AC:M/Au:N/C:P/I:P/A:P
7.8NIST NVDCVSS: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)
VectorUnavailable
PrivilegesUnavailable
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.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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