CVE-2022-3574 is a critical vulnerability identified in the WPForms Pro WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.7.7. The issue stems from improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files generated by the plugin when exporting form data. Specifically, the plugin does not validate or sanitize form input data before embedding it into CSV exports. This flaw can lead to CSV injection attacks, where maliciously crafted input containing spreadsheet formula syntax (e.g., starting with '=', '+', '-', or '@') is included in the CSV file. When the exported CSV is opened in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, these formulas can execute arbitrary commands or scripts, potentially leading to data leakage, unauthorized command execution, or malware delivery. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236, which relates to improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files. The CVSS v3.1 score is 9.8 (critical), reflecting the high impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with ease of exploitation (no authentication or user interaction required). Although no known exploits are currently reported in the wild, the vulnerability poses a significant risk due to the widespread use of WPForms Pro in WordPress sites and the common practice of exporting form data for analysis or reporting. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by submitting specially crafted form inputs that get embedded into CSV exports, which when opened by administrators or analysts, trigger malicious spreadsheet formulas.

For European organizations using WordPress sites with the WPForms Pro plugin, this vulnerability can lead to severe consequences. The CSV injection can compromise sensitive data confidentiality if malicious formulas exfiltrate data or execute commands to access internal systems. Integrity of data can be undermined by unauthorized modifications or execution of harmful macros. Availability may also be affected if the payload disrupts spreadsheet applications or triggers destructive actions. Given the critical CVSS score and the fact that exploitation requires no privileges or user interaction beyond opening a CSV file, organizations face a high risk of compromise. This is particularly concerning for sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government agencies in Europe, where form data often contains sensitive personal or financial information. Additionally, compliance with GDPR and other data protection regulations may be jeopardized if data breaches occur due to this vulnerability. The lack of a patch at the time of reporting further elevates the risk profile for affected organizations.

European organizations should immediately verify the version of WPForms Pro in use and upgrade to version 1.7.7 or later where the vulnerability is fixed. Until an update is applied, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization on all form fields to neutralize any formula characters before exporting CSV files. Additionally, CSV exports should be opened in spreadsheet software with formula execution disabled or in a safe environment to prevent automatic execution of malicious formulas. Employing security controls such as Content Security Policy (CSP) and endpoint protection can help detect and block suspicious activities triggered by malicious spreadsheets. Organizations should also train staff to recognize suspicious CSV files and avoid opening exports from untrusted sources. Monitoring logs for unusual form submissions containing formula-like syntax can provide early detection of exploitation attempts. Finally, consider alternative export formats that do not support formula execution, such as plain text or JSON, until the plugin is updated.