Critical Arbitrary Code Execution Vulnerability in libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2023-7101: Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Affects libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl versions < 0.5800-1ubuntu0.1~esm1. Fixed in 0.5800-1ubuntu0.1~esm1. How to fix ↓
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Background
libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl is a Perl module designed for parsing Excel files. It allows users to read and manipulate Excel spreadsheets programmatically. This package is widely utilized in applications that require data extraction from Excel formats. However, it has recently been identified as vulnerable to a significant security flaw that could lead to arbitrary code execution.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the handling of unvalidated input within the module, specifically during the evaluation of Number format strings in the Excel parsing logic. This flaw can be exploited by an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the system where the module is used, potentially leading to severe consequences such as data breaches or system compromise. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 7.8, indicating a high severity level.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.5800-1ubuntu0.1~esm1
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apt-get install --only-upgrade libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perlTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, users can avoid processing untrusted Excel files or sanitize inputs before passing them to the libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl module. This can help mitigate the risk of exploitation until the package is updated.
Conclusion
The libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl package is vulnerable to a critical arbitrary code execution flaw that can have serious implications for users. It is essential to update to the latest patched version to mitigate risks. Users should also consider using Vulert to monitor for vulnerabilities in their applications.
See every vulnerability recorded for libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl →
FAQ
The vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution due to unvalidated input being evaluated in the module.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution, data breaches, and system compromise.
Yes, patched versions of the libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl package are available for various Ubuntu LTS releases.
If immediate updates are not possible, consider implementing input validation or avoiding the use of untrusted Excel files as a temporary measure.
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