CVE-2023-7101
Confirmed PUBLISHEDArbitrary Code Execution (ACE) Vulnerability
Recommended Action
Prioritize remediation. Validate affected assets and apply vendor fixes on an accelerated timeline.
At a Glance
Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing logic.
- CVE Published
- Dec 24, 2023
- Exploitation Reported
- Jan 02, 2024
- CVSS
- 7.8 High
- EPSS
- 16.8%
Affected Versions
| Vendor | Product | Version | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| jmcnamara |
spreadsheet\
|
0.41 to <= 0.65 |
Affected |
| debian |
debian_linux
|
10 |
Affected |
| fedoraproject |
fedora
|
38 |
Affected |
| fedoraproject |
fedora
|
39 |
Affected |
| fedoraproject |
fedora
|
38 |
Affected |
| fedoraproject |
fedora
|
39 |
Affected |
| Douglas Wilson |
Spreadsheet::ParseExcel
|
0.65 |
Affected |
CVE References
- GitHub — mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/mandiant/Vulnerability-Disclosures/blob/master/202...
- https//www.cve.org/CVERecord https · CVE Record https://https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-7101
- https//metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcel https · CVE Record https://https://metacpan.org/dist/Spreadsheet-ParseExcel
- https//github.com/haile01/perl_spreadsheet_excel_r... https · CVE Record https://https://github.com/haile01/perl_spreadsheet_excel_rce_poc
- GitHub — jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel github.com · CVE Record https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/blob/c7298592e102...
Show 6 more references
- OSS-Security Mailing List openwall.com · CVE Record http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/12/29/4
- lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00025.html lists.debian.org · CVE Record https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2023/12/msg00025.html
- https//github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel... https · CVE Record https://https://github.com/jmcnamara/spreadsheet-parseexcel/commit/bd...
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]... lists.fedoraproject.org · CVE Record https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists....
- lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]... lists.fedoraproject.org · CVE Record https://lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce@lists....
- security.metacpan.org/2024/02/10/vulnerable-spreadsheet-parsing-mo... security.metacpan.org · CVE Record https://security.metacpan.org/2024/02/10/vulnerable-spreadsheet-parsi...
Known Exploited Vulnerability Sources
Catalogues that list this CVE as a known exploited vulnerability.
Per-source evidence links for KEV attestations are available through the KEVIntel Pro API.
Learn about Pro API access| Source | Added |
|---|---|
| CISA First | 2024-01-02 00:00 UTC |
Scanner Artifacts
Scanner and exploit-framework references linked to this CVE.
| Scanner | Reference | Detected |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | https://www.tenable.com/plugins/nessus/214483 | Jun 02, 2025 |
Virtual Patch
Compensating WAF rules to help reduce exposure to this CVE. Rule content and deployable vendor exports are available with KEVIntel Enterprise.
KEVIntel does not currently have a virtual patch for this CVE. When available, KEVIntel virtual patches ship as deployable ModSecurity, Cloudflare, and AWS WAF rules.
Enterprise feature. Virtual patch rule content and deployable vendor exports (ModSecurity, Cloudflare, AWS WAF) are available to KEVIntel Enterprise users.
CVSS Scores
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Exploitation Status
Exploited in the wild
Recorded 2024-01-02 00:00:00 UTC · CISA
Weaknesses (CWE)
-
Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection')
Scanner Integrations
Nuclei, Metasploit, and other scanner references for this CVE are listed on the Detection tab.
Timeline
Key exploitation, disclosure, scanner coverage, and KEV attestation events for this CVE.
-
09:26 UTC about 1 year ago09:26 UTC · about 1 year ago
Nessus plugin available
Scanner coverage available
-
00:00 UTC over 2 years ago00:00 UTC · over 2 years ago
Added to CISA KEV
Listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
-
21:34 UTC over 2 years ago21:34 UTC · over 2 years ago
CVE published
Vulnerability disclosed publicly
-
16:23 UTC over 2 years ago16:23 UTC · over 2 years ago
CVE ID reserved
Identifier reserved by the CNA
Automate This Intelligence with the Pro API
Confidence scoring, exploit status, sensor telemetry, PoCs, scanner integrations, mentions, and tags are available programmatically for VM, SOC, and CTI workflows.
Pro API Example
GET /api/v2/pro/kevs/CVE-2023-7101
{
"cve_id": "CVE-2023-7101",
"title": "Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE) Vulnerability",
"affected_vendor": "Douglas Wilson",
"affected_product": "Spreadsheet::ParseExcel",
"affected_versions": [
{ "vendor": "...", "product": "...", "status": "affected", "display_label": "..." }
],
"confidence": "Confirmed",
"cvss_score": 7.8,
"epss_score": 0.16832,
"exploit_status": {
"exploited_in_the_wild": true,
"active_exploitation_observed": false
},
"sensor_telemetry": { "...": "Pro API fields" },
"proof_of_concepts": [ "..." ],
"scanner_integrations": [ "..." ]
}