CVE-2023-28958

Command execution via unneutralized CSV formulas

Published Jul 10, 2023 · Updated Nov 12, 2024

CSV injection in IBM Watson Knowledge Catalog 4.0 allows attackers to execute commands when crafted CSV content is opened. The product writes user-controlled field values into CSV output without neutralizing formula-leading characters interpreted by spreadsheet software. Execution requires a user to open the resulting file in formula-capable spreadsheet software; IBM has not identified the affected export path.

CVSS severity7.0
High
EPSS probability0.50%
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 IBM Watson Knowledge Catalog 4.0 allows attackers to execute commands when crafted CSV content is opened. The product writes user-controlled field values into CSV output without neutralizing formula-leading characters interpreted by spreadsheet software. Execution requires a user to open the resulting file in formula-capable spreadsheet software; IBM has not identified the affected export path.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-28958
Published
Jul 10, 2023
Updated
Nov 12, 2024
Vendor
IBM
Product
IBM Knowledge Catalog
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
local
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jul 10, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Nov 12, 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=4.0

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectorlocal
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

IBM · IBM Knowledge Catalogversion=4.0

Published CVSS scores

7.8NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.0IBM CorporationCVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:H/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 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectorlocal
Privilegesunauthenticated
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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