CVE-2020-9017 in LiteCart
Summary
by MITRE
LiteCart through 2.2.1 allows CSV injection via a customer's profile.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2020-9017 represents a critical csv injection flaw in LiteCart versions prior to 2.2.1, specifically affecting customer profile data handling. This vulnerability resides in the application's export functionality where customer information is serialized into csv format, creating an exploitable condition that enables attackers to inject malicious code through crafted input fields within customer profiles. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-1236, which addresses the improper handling of CSV injection vectors, particularly when user-controllable data is directly incorporated into csv exports without proper sanitization or encoding mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when LiteCart processes customer profile information for export purposes, where maliciously crafted data in fields such as names, addresses, or contact information can contain csv injection sequences. Attackers can leverage this by inserting formula-like expressions starting with characters such as equals sign, plus, minus, or at symbol within customer profile data, which when processed into csv format can execute unintended commands in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. The injection typically exploits the automatic formula execution feature of spreadsheet software, where cells beginning with certain operators are interpreted as commands rather than literal text.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-9017 extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code on victim systems through spreadsheet applications. When unsuspecting users open the compromised csv files in spreadsheet software, the injected formulas can trigger malicious actions such as downloading additional malware, redirecting browser traffic, or exfiltrating system information. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.005 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically targeting execution through spreadsheet applications. The vulnerability also supports lateral movement scenarios where attackers can use the csv injection to establish persistence or escalate privileges within compromised environments.
Organizations utilizing LiteCart versions prior to 2.2.1 face significant security risks from this vulnerability, particularly in environments where customer data is regularly exported or where users have access to exported csv files. The attack surface expands when considering that customer profiles often contain sensitive information that could be leveraged for identity theft, financial fraud, or further exploitation. Security teams should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to LiteCart 2.2.1 or later, implementing proper input validation and sanitization for all user-controllable data fields, and establishing monitoring for suspicious csv export activities. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening csv files from untrusted sources provides crucial defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability underscores the importance of secure coding practices for data export functionality and demonstrates how seemingly benign features can become attack vectors when proper input sanitization is omitted.