CVE-2022-44830 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in the Sourcecodester Event Registration App version 1.0. The vulnerability is classified as a CSV injection (CWE-1236), which occurs when untrusted input is embedded directly into CSV files without proper sanitization or escaping. Specifically, the vulnerability affects the First Name, Contact, and Remarks fields within the application. An attacker can exploit this flaw by submitting specially crafted input containing malicious formulas or commands that, when the CSV file is opened in Microsoft Excel or compatible spreadsheet software, can lead to arbitrary code execution on the victim's machine. This type of attack leverages the fact that spreadsheet applications interpret certain characters (such as '=', '+', '-', '@') at the beginning of a cell as formulas, allowing embedded commands to run. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, indicating a high severity level. The vector string (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 required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R) to open the malicious CSV file. The vulnerability impacts confidentiality, integrity, and availability, as arbitrary code execution can lead to data theft, manipulation, or system compromise. No patches or vendor fixes are currently listed, and no known exploits in the wild have been reported as of the publication date (November 21, 2022). The vulnerability is specific to the Sourcecodester Event Registration App v1.0, which is a niche product used for event registration management, typically generating CSV reports or exports containing user-submitted data. The threat arises primarily when exported CSV files are shared or opened by users in vulnerable spreadsheet software without proper sanitization or validation of input fields.

For European organizations using the Sourcecodester Event Registration App v1.0, this vulnerability poses a significant risk. If exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary code on the systems of users who open the malicious CSV files, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized access, or further lateral movement within the network. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive personal data or critical event management operations. The impact extends to confidentiality (exfiltration of sensitive data), integrity (modification or corruption of data), and availability (disruption of services or system stability). Since the attack requires local access to the CSV file and user interaction to open it, the risk is higher in environments where exported CSV files are shared via email or other communication channels without proper scanning or user awareness. European organizations with event management workflows relying on this app or similar CSV export features are vulnerable to social engineering attacks that could deliver malicious CSV files. Additionally, sectors with strict data protection regulations such as GDPR may face compliance risks if such vulnerabilities lead to data leakage or unauthorized access.

Implement input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied fields (First Name, Contact, Remarks) to neutralize or escape characters that can trigger formula execution in CSV files, such as '=', '+', '-', and '@'. Modify the CSV export functionality to prefix potentially dangerous fields with a single quote (') or use safer export formats that do not interpret formulas, such as plain text or JSON. Educate users to avoid opening CSV files from untrusted sources or to open them in spreadsheet applications with formula execution disabled or in protected view. Deploy endpoint security solutions that can detect and block suspicious macro or formula execution within spreadsheet applications. Establish strict email filtering and attachment scanning policies to detect and quarantine potentially malicious CSV files before reaching end users. If possible, replace or upgrade the vulnerable application to a version that addresses CSV injection or switch to alternative event registration solutions with secure export features. Regularly audit and monitor logs for unusual activity related to CSV file handling or execution of unexpected processes triggered by spreadsheet applications.