CVE-2023-5527Public exploitNetwork attack vector

Code execution via unescaped CSV formula fields

Published Jun 18, 2024 · Updated Apr 8, 2026

CSV injection in Strategy11 LLC Business Directory Plugin 6.4.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to plant spreadsheet formulas. The CSV exporter writes attacker-controlled directory field values without neutralizing formula-leading characters, causing spreadsheet software to interpret values beginning with an equals sign as formulas. Author-level WordPress access is required, and an administrator must export and open the file in formula-enabled spreadsheet software for local code execution or data access.

CVSS severity7.4
High
EPSS probability0.49%
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 Strategy11 LLC Business Directory Plugin 6.4.3 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to plant spreadsheet formulas. The CSV exporter writes attacker-controlled directory field values without neutralizing formula-leading characters, causing spreadsheet software to interpret values beginning with an equals sign as formulas. Author-level WordPress access is required, and an administrator must export and open the file in formula-enabled spreadsheet software for local code execution or data access.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-5527
Published
Jun 18, 2024
Updated
Apr 8, 2026
Vendor
Business Directory Team
Product
Business Directory Plugin
Classifications
CWE-1236, T1204.002
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Jun 18, 2024CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Apr 8, 2026Record 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=0 <=6.4.3

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Business Directory Team · Business Directory Pluginversion=0 <=6.4.3

Published CVSS scores

8.0NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
7.4WordfenceCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L

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 exploitPublished

Weakness, pattern, technique

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

Public exploit references

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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