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Vulnerability · CVE-2023-7101

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Published Dec 24, 2023 · corrected/updated Jun 16, 2026 · Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel · evidence confidence very high

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing logic.

Grounded briefings

Catalog interpretations for three audiences. Each brief cites ingested metadata and the original advisories below. They are not independent research and they do not invent exploit steps.

Executive

CVE-2023-7101 is a high public vulnerability record for Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel. CISA lists it as known exploited. Published remediation guidance: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. This summary is a catalog interpretation of the ingested metadata and cites the original advisories below.

System administrator

Identify whether Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is in your estate, then compare installed versions with the affected ranges. Affected packages or ranges on record: debian/debian linux (10.0); fedoraproject/fedora (38); fedoraproject/fedora (39); jmcnamara/spreadsheet (\). Published remediation guidance: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. Prefer the vendor or distribution advisory linked in Sources before changing production systems. This is a catalog interpretation, not a runbook.

Security analyst

Signals on file: CVSS 7.8, EPSS 19.1%. CISA lists it as known exploited. Weakness classes: CWE-94, CWE-95. Sources contributing to this record: cisa_kev, cve_org, epss, metasploit. Public exploit references, when present, are outbound links only and are not proof of active exploitation. This is a catalog interpretation of stored metadata.

Exploitation and remediation

  • Exploitation evidence

    Confirmed in CISA KEV since Dec 25, 2023. Listed in CISA KEV and VulnCheck KEV.

  • Patch and remediation

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable. CISA due date Jan 23, 2024.

  • Safe detection guidance

    Compare installed versions with the affected ranges below and verify the advisory from the original publisher. This site stores metadata and outbound links only; it does not ship exploit code or proof-of-concept payloads.

Code

The project this record applies to. Exploit listings stay in References.

Timeline

Detection, updates, and resolution for this record.

  1. Dec 24, 2023 · Catalog

    Detected

    Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing l

  2. Jan 2, 2024 · CISA KEV

    Known exploited

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

  3. Jan 23, 2024 · CISA KEV

    Remediation due

    Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

  4. Jun 16, 2026 · Catalog

    Updated

    Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing l

Affected

  • cpe debian/debian linux10.0
  • cpe fedoraproject/fedora38
  • cpe fedoraproject/fedora39
  • cpe jmcnamara/spreadsheet\
  • vendor Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Spreadsheet::ParseExcelversion unspecified

Sources

  • CISA KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2023-7101

    Spreadsheet::ParseExcel contains a remote code execution vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings within the Excel parsing logic.

    cisa.gov
  • CVE.orgVulnerability recordCVE-2023-7101

    Official CVE identifier

    cve.org
  • FIRST EPSSExploitation probabilityCVE-2023-7101

    30-day exploitation probability 19.1%

    first.org
  • Metasploit ModulesPublic exploit moduleexploit_linux/smtp/barracuda_esg_spreadsheet_rce

    Public module reference (excellent). Module source is not copied into this catalog.

    rapid7.com
  • NIST NVDVulnerability recordCVE-2023-7101

    Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from

    nvd.nist.gov
  • VulnCheck KEVConfirmed exploitationCVE-2023-7101

    Spreadsheet::ParseExcel contains a remote code execution vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings within the Excel parsing logic.

    vulncheck.com

References