CVE-2022-3605 is a high-severity vulnerability affecting the WP CSV Exporter WordPress plugin versions prior to 1.3.7. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236, which pertains to improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV files. Specifically, the plugin fails to properly escape or sanitize fields when exporting data as CSV files. This flaw can lead to CSV injection attacks, where malicious actors embed spreadsheet formulas or scripts within CSV fields. When a user opens the exported CSV file 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 further compromise of the user's environment. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H) shows that the attack requires local access (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges (PR:N), and user interaction (UI:R). The scope remains unchanged (S:U), but the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No known exploits in the wild have been reported to date. The vulnerability arises from the plugin's failure to neutralize potentially dangerous characters such as '=', '+', '-', or '@' at the beginning of CSV fields, which spreadsheet applications interpret as formulas. This can be exploited by attackers who have the ability to influence the data exported by the plugin, for example through user input fields or database content. Upon opening the CSV, the malicious formula executes, potentially allowing code execution or data exfiltration. Since the vulnerability requires local access to generate the CSV and user interaction to open the file, the attack vector is somewhat limited but still poses a significant risk, especially in environments where exported CSV files are shared or handled by multiple users. The plugin vendor has released version 1.3.7 to address this issue by properly escaping or sanitizing CSV fields to prevent formula injection.

For European organizations, this vulnerability poses a significant risk especially for those relying on WordPress sites that utilize the WP CSV Exporter plugin for data export. The impact includes potential compromise of user systems when opening exported CSV files, leading to unauthorized data access, data manipulation, or execution of malicious code. This can affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability of sensitive information. Organizations handling personal data under GDPR must be particularly cautious, as exploitation could lead to data breaches with legal and financial consequences. The attack requires local access to generate the malicious CSV and user interaction to open the file, which means internal users or trusted partners could be vectors for exploitation. In sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government, where CSV exports are common for reporting and data exchange, the risk is amplified. Additionally, the vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted phishing campaigns where attackers trick users into opening malicious CSV files, potentially leading to lateral movement within networks or credential theft. The lack of known exploits in the wild reduces immediate risk but does not eliminate the threat, as attackers may develop exploits given the public disclosure. Organizations with limited patch management or outdated plugins are at higher risk.

1. Immediate update of the WP CSV Exporter plugin to version 1.3.7 or later, where the vulnerability is patched. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user inputs that could be exported via CSV to minimize injection opportunities. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening CSV files from untrusted or unexpected sources, emphasizing caution with files containing formulas. 4. Configure spreadsheet software to disable automatic formula execution or enable security settings that warn users before executing formulas in CSV files. 5. Monitor and audit exported CSV files for suspicious content, especially fields starting with '=', '+', '-', or '@'. 6. Restrict access to the WordPress export functionality to trusted users only, minimizing the chance of malicious CSV generation. 7. Employ Content Security Policy (CSP) and endpoint protection solutions to detect and block suspicious activities resulting from CSV formula injection. 8. Regularly review and update WordPress plugins and themes to ensure all components are up to date and vulnerabilities are patched promptly.