CVE-2022-3605 in WP CSV Exporter Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 12/12/2022
The WP CSV Exporter WordPress plugin before 1.3.7 does not properly escape the fields when exporting data as CSV, leading to a CSV injection vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2025
The WP CSV Exporter WordPress plugin vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that affects versions prior to 1.3.7, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit CSV injection techniques to compromise systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization and output escaping mechanisms within the plugin's CSV generation functionality, which processes user-supplied data without proper validation or sanitization before inclusion in exported files. The flaw exists specifically in how the plugin handles field data during export operations, where special characters that could be interpreted as formulas by spreadsheet applications are not properly escaped or quoted, creating a vector for malicious code execution when exported files are opened in applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-1236, which addresses the improper neutralization of special elements used in a CSV file, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-74, the improper neutralization of special elements in data queries. When a user exports data through the WP CSV Exporter plugin, any malicious input containing formula expressions such as =cmd|' /C calc'!A0 or =http://malicious-site.com/script.js can be embedded directly into the CSV file. These formulas execute automatically when the file is opened in spreadsheet applications, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system, steal sensitive data, or perform additional malicious activities. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it leverages the trust relationship between spreadsheet applications and CSV files, where applications automatically interpret certain characters as formula instructions without proper user confirmation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it enables attackers to leverage the CSV injection vector for more sophisticated attacks within the target environment. When users open infected CSV files in spreadsheet applications, the malicious formulas can trigger various malicious behaviors including command execution, data exfiltration, or redirection to malicious websites. This vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against WordPress administrators or users who regularly handle CSV exports from their sites, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such files might be shared across teams or integrated into automated processes. The attack surface is further expanded when considering that many organizations use automated systems to process CSV exports, which could automatically execute the malicious formulas without user interaction, creating a significant risk for organizations with less security awareness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation involves updating the WP CSV Exporter plugin to version 1.3.7 or later, which implements proper field escaping and sanitization mechanisms to prevent formula injection. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including restricting plugin installation permissions to trusted administrators only, implementing strict input validation for all user-supplied data, and configuring spreadsheet applications to disable automatic formula execution when opening files. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block malicious CSV files, while regular security audits should verify that no other plugins or custom code implementations contain similar vulnerabilities. Security awareness training for users handling CSV files should emphasize the dangers of opening files from untrusted sources and the importance of verifying file contents before opening them in spreadsheet applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices for data export functionality, including proper escaping of special characters and implementation of input validation frameworks that prevent injection attacks across all export mechanisms.