CVE-2026-10278 in excel-mcp
Summary
by MITRE • 06/01/2026
A vulnerability was determined in ishayoyo excel-mcp up to 1.0.2. Impacted is an unknown function of the file src/index.ts of the component read_file/write_file. Executing a manipulation of the argument filePath/outputPath can lead to path traversal. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. The exploit has been publicly disclosed and may be utilized. The project was informed of the problem early through an issue report but has not responded yet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2026
The vulnerability identified in ishayoyo excel-mcp version 1.0.2 represents a critical path traversal flaw that exposes the application to remote exploitation. This security weakness resides within the file processing functions of the read_file/write_file component, specifically in the src/index.ts source file where the filePath and outputPath arguments are handled without proper sanitization. The vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate file path parameters to traverse the file system hierarchy and access unauthorized files or directories beyond the intended scope of the application's file operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely, meaning malicious actors do not require local system access to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability has been publicly disclosed, increasing the risk of exploitation as threat actors can now leverage documented attack techniques against affected systems. This represents a classic path traversal vulnerability that falls under the CWE-22 category, which specifically addresses improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The security implications extend beyond simple file access, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to arbitrary code execution, data exfiltration, or system compromise depending on the application's privileges and the target system configuration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application processes user-supplied file path arguments without adequate validation or sanitization. When an attacker supplies a malicious path string containing directory traversal sequences such as "../" or "..\\", the application fails to properly validate these inputs, allowing the traversal to occur. This flaw is particularly dangerous in file processing applications where the system processes files based on user input, as it can be leveraged to access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other unauthorized resources. The remote exploit capability suggests that the vulnerable component is exposed through network services or APIs that accept file path parameters from external sources. The lack of response from the project maintainers despite early issue reporting indicates a potential security gap in the project's vulnerability management process, leaving users exposed to known risks for extended periods. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566 for Phishing, as attackers could potentially use this path traversal to gain access to system resources or deploy malicious payloads through compromised file processing functions. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by its public disclosure status, which means that security researchers and malicious actors alike can now attempt to exploit it, creating an increased attack surface for organizations using this component.
Organizations utilizing this vulnerable component must implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from potential exploitation. The primary remediation strategy involves implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all file path parameters, ensuring that any user-supplied input is properly filtered to prevent directory traversal sequences from being processed. This can be achieved through the implementation of allow-list validation that only accepts predefined, safe file paths or through the use of robust path normalization functions that resolve and validate file paths before processing. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by ensuring that the application operates with minimal necessary file system permissions, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level protections such as firewall rules that restrict access to vulnerable APIs or services, and application-level monitoring that can detect suspicious file path patterns. The lack of response from the project maintainers underscores the importance of maintaining independent security hygiene practices and considering alternative components when upstream projects fail to address known vulnerabilities in a timely manner. Organizations should also implement automated vulnerability scanning processes that can detect the presence of this specific vulnerable component in their environments, enabling proactive remediation before exploitation occurs. The vulnerability's classification as a path traversal attack aligns with common security best practices that emphasize the importance of input validation and secure coding practices in preventing such fundamental flaws from being exploited in production environments.