CVE-2021-32014: Denial of Service in SheetJS Pro
Summary
CVE-2021-32014: Denial of Service in SheetJS Pro. Affects xlsx versions < 0.17.0. Fixed in 0.17.0. How to fix ↓
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Background
SheetJS Pro is an npm package and Maven dependency that provides functionality for reading and manipulating .xlsx documents. It is widely used in various applications for spreadsheet processing. However, versions up to 0.16.9 of SheetJS Pro are vulnerable to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack when processing a specially crafted .xlsx document. This vulnerability occurs due to mishandling of the document by the xlsx.js module, leading to excessive CPU consumption.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2021-32014) allows attackers to exploit the mishandling of .xlsx documents in SheetJS Pro, resulting in a DoS condition. By sending a maliciously crafted .xlsx file, an attacker can cause the application to consume excessive CPU resources, leading to performance degradation or even system unresponsiveness. This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 0.18.5 as of 22 Oct 2026
npm install xlsx@0.18.5Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
0.17.0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
npm install xlsx@0.17.0Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
There is no known workaround for this vulnerability. It is essential to apply the recommended fix by updating SheetJS Pro to a non-vulnerable version.
Conclusion
In conclusion, SheetJS Pro versions up to 0.16.9 are vulnerable to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack due to mishandling of .xlsx documents. It is crucial to update to version 0.17.0 or later to mitigate this vulnerability. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for xlsx →
FAQ
This vulnerability can lead to a Denial of Service (DoS) condition, causing performance degradation or system unresponsiveness.
You can use Vulert's playground (https://vulert.com/scanner) to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability. Simply upload your package-lock.json file to the playground, and it will alert you if the vulnerability is present.
Yes, the fix for this vulnerability is available in SheetJS Pro version 0.17.0 or later. It is recommended to update your dependencies to the latest version.
No, there are no known workarounds for this vulnerability. Updating to a non-vulnerable version is the only solution.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
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