CVE-2022-3603 is a critical vulnerability identified in the WordPress plugin 'Export customers list csv for WooCommerce, WordPress users csv, export Guest customer list' prior to version 2.0.69. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236, which pertains to improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly sanitize or validate data when exporting customer or user information into CSV format. This oversight allows maliciously crafted input data to be embedded within the CSV export files as formula elements (e.g., starting with '=', '+', '-', or '@'). When such CSV files are opened in spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc, these formula elements can be executed, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or data exfiltration on the client side. The CVSS v3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 9.8, indicating a critical severity level. The vector string (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) highlights that the vulnerability is remotely exploitable over the network without any privileges or user interaction, and it can severely impact confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Although no known exploits have been reported in the wild, the nature of CSV injection attacks means that an attacker could craft malicious entries in customer or user data fields (e.g., names, addresses) that get exported and subsequently opened by administrators or other users. This can lead to execution of arbitrary commands or scripts on the victim's machine, potentially compromising sensitive business data or systems. The plugin is widely used in WooCommerce and WordPress environments to export customer data, making this vulnerability relevant to many e-commerce and content management sites that rely on these platforms for customer management and reporting.

For European organizations, especially those operating e-commerce platforms using WooCommerce and WordPress, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. The CSV injection can lead to unauthorized execution of code on the systems of employees or administrators who open exported CSV files, potentially resulting in data breaches, credential theft, or lateral movement within corporate networks. Given the critical CVSS score, the impact spans confidentiality (exposure of sensitive customer data), integrity (manipulation of exported data or execution of malicious commands), and availability (potential disruption caused by malicious payloads). Organizations handling large volumes of customer data, including personal identifiable information (PII) protected under GDPR, face compliance risks and potential regulatory penalties if exploited. Moreover, the ease of exploitation without authentication or user interaction increases the threat level, as attackers can inject malicious data remotely through customer input forms or other data submission channels. This vulnerability could also be leveraged to target high-value European sectors such as retail, finance, and healthcare, where WooCommerce and WordPress are prevalent, potentially leading to reputational damage and financial losses.

To mitigate this vulnerability, European organizations should immediately update the affected WordPress plugin to version 2.0.69 or later, where proper validation and neutralization of CSV formula elements have been implemented. In addition to patching, organizations should implement the following specific measures: 1) Sanitize all user-supplied input fields that may be included in CSV exports by escaping or prefixing formula characters (e.g., prefixing with a single quote) to prevent execution in spreadsheet applications. 2) Restrict access to CSV export functionality to trusted administrative users and monitor export logs for unusual activity. 3) Educate staff to be cautious when opening CSV files from untrusted sources and consider opening CSV files in text editors or spreadsheet applications with formula execution disabled. 4) Employ Content Security Policies (CSP) and endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious script execution triggered by CSV files. 5) Regularly audit and review customer data inputs for anomalous or suspicious entries that could indicate attempted injection. 6) Consider implementing additional layers of data validation at the application level to prevent malicious data entry. These targeted mitigations go beyond generic patching advice and focus on reducing the attack surface and impact of CSV injection in operational environments.