CVE-2023-2629
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows CSV formula injection attacks in Pimcore Customer Data Framework. Attackers can embed malicious formulas in CSV files that execute when opened in spreadsheet applications like Excel, potentially leading to remote code execution. Affects organizations using Pimcore Customer Data Framework for customer data management.
💻 Affected Systems
- Pimcore Customer Data Framework
📦 What is this software?
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution on client machines when users open malicious CSV files in spreadsheet applications, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Data exfiltration or local file inclusion attacks when users open CSV files in vulnerable spreadsheet applications, potentially exposing sensitive customer data.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper user training and security controls, potentially only causing spreadsheet application crashes or unexpected behavior.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open malicious CSV files. CSV formula injection techniques are well-documented and easy to implement.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 3.3.9
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/pimcore/customer-data-framework/commit/4e0105c3a78d20686a0c010faef27d2297b98803
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update Pimcore Customer Data Framework to version 3.3.9 or later. 2. Run composer update pimcore/customer-data-framework. 3. Clear application cache if applicable.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
CSV Sanitization
allImplement server-side CSV sanitization to escape formula characters (=, +, -, @) with single quotes or prepend tabs
Implement CSV export filtering to escape: =, +, -, @ characters
User Education
allTrain users to open CSV files in text editors first or use 'Import Data' features instead of direct opening
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable CSV export functionality or restrict to trusted users only
- Implement web application firewall rules to detect and block CSV formula injection patterns
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check composer.json for pimcore/customer-data-framework version. If version < 3.3.9, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
composer show pimcore/customer-data-framework | grep versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 3.3.9 or later. Test CSV export functionality with formula payloads (=cmd|' /C calc'!A0) to ensure proper escaping.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- CSV export requests with unusual parameters
- Large CSV file downloads
- User reports of spreadsheet application crashes
Network Indicators:
- CSV file downloads containing formula characters at beginning of cells
- Unusual outbound connections from client machines after CSV file access
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND (uri_path="*export*" OR uri_path="*csv*") AND (query="*=%2B*" OR query="*=%2D*" OR query="*=%3D*")🔗 References
- https://github.com/pimcore/customer-data-framework/commit/4e0105c3a78d20686a0c010faef27d2297b98803
- https://huntr.dev/bounties/821ff465-4754-42d1-9376-813c17f16a01
- https://github.com/pimcore/customer-data-framework/commit/4e0105c3a78d20686a0c010faef27d2297b98803
- https://huntr.dev/bounties/821ff465-4754-42d1-9376-813c17f16a01
