CVE-2019-19676
📋 TL;DR
This CSV injection vulnerability in arxes-tolina 3.0.0 allows attackers to embed malicious formulas in user data fields. When other users export this data as CSV files and open them in spreadsheet applications like Excel, the formulas execute, potentially giving attackers remote control of victims' computers. All users of arxes-tolina 3.0.0 who export CSV data are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- arxes-tolina
📦 What is this software?
Arxes Tolina by Arxes Tolina
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attacker gains full remote control of victim's computer through Excel macro execution, leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or complete system compromise.
Likely Case
Victim opens malicious CSV in Excel, triggering formula execution that downloads malware or establishes backdoor connections.
If Mitigated
CSV files are opened in plain text editors or with Excel security settings preventing formula execution, limiting impact to data corruption.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires authenticated access to create malicious user entries, but CSV injection techniques are well-known and easily weaponized.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.0.1 or later
Vendor Advisory: https://www2.deloitte.com/de/de/pages/risk/articles/arxes-tolina-csv-injection.html
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Backup your arxes-tolina database and configuration. 2. Download and install arxes-tolina version 3.0.1 or later from the official vendor. 3. Restart the arxes-tolina service. 4. Verify the update was successful by checking the version.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable CSV Export
allTemporarily disable CSV export functionality in arxes-tolina to prevent malicious CSV files from being generated.
Excel Security Configuration
windowsConfigure Excel to open CSV files in protected view and disable automatic formula execution.
Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Protected View: Enable all options
Excel Options > Trust Center > Trust Center Settings > Macro Settings: Disable all macros with notification
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement strict input validation to sanitize special characters (=, +, -, @) in user data fields
- Educate users to never open CSV files directly in Excel - use plain text editors or import with data-only settings
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if arxes-tolina version is exactly 3.0.0 and CSV export functionality is enabled.Check Version:
Check arxes-tolina admin interface or configuration files for version informationVerify Fix Applied:
Verify arxes-tolina version is 3.0.1 or later and test CSV export with formula payloads to ensure they are sanitized.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual user creation/modification events with special characters in name/address fields
- Multiple CSV export requests from single users
Network Indicators:
- Outbound connections from Excel processes to suspicious external IPs after CSV file opens
SIEM Query:
source="arxes-tolina" AND (event="user_created" OR event="user_modified") AND (field CONTAINS "=" OR field CONTAINS "+" OR field CONTAINS "@")