CVE-2023-51336 in Meeting Room Booking System
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
PHPJabbers Meeting Room Booking System v1.0 is vulnerable to CSV Injection vulnerability which allows an attacker to execute remote code. The vulnerability exists due to insufficient input validation on Languages section Labels any parameters field in System Options that is used to construct CSV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2026
The CVE-2023-51336 vulnerability affects PHPJabbers Meeting Room Booking System version 1.0 and represents a critical CSV injection flaw that can lead to remote code execution. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the system's language section labels parameters field, which is utilized in the construction of CSV files. The flaw exists specifically in the System Options configuration where user-controllable data is directly incorporated into CSV generation without proper sanitization or validation mechanisms. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input in the language labels section that, when processed into CSV format, can trigger unintended execution behavior in vulnerable applications that parse these files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows the classic CSV injection pattern where specially crafted input can be interpreted by spreadsheet applications as executable commands. When the system constructs CSV files containing user-supplied data from the Languages section Labels parameters, any malicious payload entered by an attacker can be executed when the CSV file is opened in applications like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. This occurs because these applications interpret certain characters and patterns in CSV files as formulas or commands rather than plain text data. The vulnerability manifests when the system fails to properly escape or sanitize input characters that could be interpreted as formula execution indicators such as equals signs, plus signs, or other spreadsheet command characters that precede malicious payloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation to full remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous for organizations relying on the meeting room booking system. An attacker who gains access to the system's administrative interface or can inject malicious data through the language configuration section can potentially execute arbitrary code on the server hosting the application. This could lead to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the installation of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the system, as it allows unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges and control over the application's underlying infrastructure. Organizations using this software may face significant security breaches that could result in regulatory compliance violations and financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-51336 should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures combined with proper parameter handling in CSV generation processes. The primary fix involves implementing strict input validation on all user-controllable parameters within the Languages section Labels field, ensuring that any potentially dangerous characters are properly escaped or removed before processing. Security measures should include the implementation of proper CSV escaping techniques that prevent formula interpretation by spreadsheet applications, such as prefixing malicious input with a single quote character. Organizations should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, and conduct thorough code reviews to identify similar vulnerabilities in other input handling areas. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-1236, which addresses improper input validation in CSV generation processes, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management should be implemented to address the root cause, while network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the overall attack surface.