CVE-2025-4546 is a CSV Injection vulnerability identified in the 1Panel-dev MaxKB product, specifically affecting versions 1.10.0 through 1.10.7. The vulnerability resides in an unspecified functionality within the Knowledge Base Module component. CSV Injection occurs when untrusted input is embedded into CSV files without proper sanitization, allowing attackers to inject malicious formulas or commands that execute when the CSV file is opened in spreadsheet software such as Microsoft Excel or LibreOffice Calc. This can lead to arbitrary code execution or data manipulation on the client side. The vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction or authentication, as indicated by the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:H/UI:N). However, the attack requires high privileges (PR:H), suggesting that the attacker must have some level of authenticated access with elevated rights to exploit this issue. The CVSS 4.0 base score is 5.1, categorizing it as a medium severity vulnerability. The impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is low, but the risk lies in the potential execution of malicious code when a victim opens a crafted CSV file generated by the vulnerable system. The vendor has released version 1.10.8 to address this issue, and early notification was provided to them. No known exploits are currently observed in the wild, but public disclosure increases the risk of exploitation attempts.

For European organizations using 1Panel-dev MaxKB, this vulnerability poses a moderate risk primarily to data integrity and user security. Since the vulnerability involves CSV Injection, the main threat vector is the delivery of malicious CSV files that, when opened by users, could execute harmful macros or commands. This can lead to unauthorized actions such as data theft, corruption, or lateral movement within the network if the attacker leverages the injected code effectively. Organizations relying on MaxKB for knowledge management or documentation could see compromised data trustworthiness and potential exposure of sensitive information. The requirement for high privileges to exploit reduces the likelihood of external attackers directly exploiting this vulnerability without prior access. However, insider threats or attackers who have already gained elevated access could weaponize this vulnerability to escalate their impact. Given the remote exploitability and public disclosure, European entities must be vigilant, especially those in sectors with high regulatory requirements for data integrity such as finance, healthcare, and government. Additionally, the risk of social engineering increases as attackers may craft convincing CSV files to trick users into opening them.

1. Immediate upgrade to version 1.10.8 of 1Panel-dev MaxKB to apply the official patch addressing the CSV Injection vulnerability. 2. Implement strict input validation and sanitization on all user-supplied data that may be exported to CSV files, ensuring that any potentially dangerous characters or formulas are neutralized or escaped. 3. Educate users about the risks of opening CSV files from untrusted or unexpected sources, emphasizing caution with files generated by internal systems. 4. Restrict access to the Knowledge Base Module to only necessary users with appropriate privilege levels to minimize the risk of exploitation by insiders or compromised accounts. 5. Employ endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting and blocking malicious macro execution within spreadsheet applications. 6. Monitor logs and user activities for unusual access patterns or attempts to export or manipulate CSV data. 7. Consider disabling automatic formula execution in spreadsheet software used within the organization as an additional protective measure. 8. Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing focused on data export functionalities to identify and remediate similar injection risks proactively.