CVE-2019-19676 in arxes-tolina
Summary
by MITRE
A CSV injection in arxes-tolina 3.0.0 allows malicious users to gain remote control of other computers. By entering formula code in the following columns: Kundennummer, Firma, Street, PLZ, Ort, Zahlziel, and Bemerkung, an attacker can create a user with a name that contains malicious code. Other users might download this data as a CSV file and corrupt their PC by opening it in a tool such as Microsoft Excel. The attacker could gain remote access to the user's PC.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/10/2025
This vulnerability represents a critical csv injection flaw in the arxes-tolina 3.0.0 software that enables remote code execution through malicious data manipulation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within specific data fields including Kundennummer, Firma, Street, PLZ, Ort, Zahlziel, and Bemerkung. When malicious code is embedded in these columns, it gets executed when other users open the exported csv data in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel. The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-1236, which addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in a CSV file, and specifically relates to CWE-74, which covers improper neutralization of special elements in data query logic. The attack vector operates through the exploitation of spreadsheet application behaviors where csv formulas are automatically interpreted and executed upon file opening, creating a dangerous chain of execution that transforms data manipulation into system compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it enables full remote control of victim systems through the execution of malicious formulas embedded in the csv data. When users open compromised csv files in Microsoft Excel or similar applications, the embedded formulas can execute arbitrary code, potentially allowing attackers to establish reverse shells, download additional malware, or perform other malicious activities. This vulnerability specifically maps to attack techniques in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059.006 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1078 for Valid Accounts, as it leverages legitimate spreadsheet applications to execute malicious payloads. The attack requires minimal privileges to establish the initial compromise, as it relies on social engineering to convince users to open the malicious csv file, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently exchange data through spreadsheet applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both the application-level input validation and the user behavior aspects of the attack. Organizations should implement strict input sanitization for all csv export functionality, particularly within the identified vulnerable columns, by escaping special characters and implementing proper data filtering mechanisms. The application should enforce a whitelist approach for acceptable input formats and reject any data containing potentially dangerous csv formula indicators such as equals signs followed by formula functions. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening csv files from untrusted sources, and organizations should consider implementing macro security policies within spreadsheet applications to prevent automatic execution of formulas. System administrators should also monitor for unusual csv file downloads and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in data export functionalities and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing that includes real-world exploitation scenarios involving common office applications.