CVE-2023-7101: Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE) Vulnerability in gdata
Summary
CVE-2023-7101: Arbitrary Code Execution (ACE) Vulnerability. Affects gdata versions >= 2.16.1, < 3.0.0. Fixed in 3.0.0. How to fix ↓
Also tracked for
- libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl · Debian:11
The same CVE-2023-7101 is tracked separately for each ecosystem and vendor. Its fix information is the same; the package and affected versions differ.
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Background
The gdata package is a component of the CRAN ecosystem and is used for working with data in R. It provides functions for reading and writing data in various formats, including spreadsheets. The vulnerable version of the package is Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65, which is bundled with gdata. This version allows for the execution of arbitrary code due to the lack of validation on input from a file. The vulnerability specifically affects the evaluation of Number format strings within the Excel parsing logic.
Vulnerability Detail
The arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability in gdata allows an attacker to execute malicious code by exploiting the lack of input validation in the evaluation of Number format strings. By crafting a specially crafted Excel file, an attacker can inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the application using gdata. This can lead to various consequences, including unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise. The vulnerability has been assigned the CVE identifier CVE-2023-7101.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
3.0.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
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Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is necessary to upgrade to the fixed version of gdata to mitigate the risk of arbitrary code execution.
Conclusion
The gdata package, specifically the bundled Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65, is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability. This vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the application. To mitigate the risk, it is crucial to upgrade gdata to version 3.0.0 or later, which deprecates the vulnerable Excel-related functionality. For more information and support on vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
The vulnerability allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code within the context of the application using gdata. This can lead to unauthorized access, data manipulation, and system compromise.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your manifest file (e.g., package-lock.json) and Vulert will analyze it for open-source vulnerabilities, including CVE-2023-7101.
There are no known public exploits for this vulnerability at the time of writing. However, it is important to upgrade to the fixed version of gdata to prevent potential exploitation.
No, the only way to mitigate the risk is to upgrade to the fixed version of gdata. There are no known workarounds or alternative solutions for this vulnerability.
For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact info@devnack.com. They can provide guidance and assistance in addressing the vulnerability in your application.
