CVE-2026-46672: CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in actualbudget actual
Actual is a local-first personal finance app. Prior to 26.6.0, @actual-app/cli ships a hand-rolled CSV serializer in packages/cli/src/output.ts used whenever the global --format csv option is passed, whose escapeCsv helper only handles RFC 4180 delimiter, quote, and newline escaping and does not neutralize standard CSV formula-injection prefixes. Any CLI command that streams an object array containing user-controlled strings, including transactions list, accounts list, payees list, categories list, tags list, category-groups list, rules list, schedules list, and query, can emit cells that auto-evaluate when the resulting CSV is opened in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets, enabling data exfiltration and arbitrary formula execution. This issue is fixed in version 26.6.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
Actualbudget's Actual app versions before 26.6.0 include a hand-rolled CSV serializer in the CLI that inadequately escapes CSV content. Specifically, the escapeCsv helper only handles RFC 4180 delimiters, quotes, and newlines but fails to neutralize formula-injection prefixes in CSV cells. As a result, any CLI command exporting user-controlled string data to CSV can produce cells that execute formulas automatically when opened in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-1236 and allows potential data exfiltration and arbitrary formula execution. The vulnerability is addressed in Actual version 26.6.0.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows an attacker to craft CSV exports containing malicious formulas that execute automatically when opened in common spreadsheet applications. This can lead to unauthorized data exfiltration and execution of arbitrary spreadsheet formulas, potentially compromising user data confidentiality and integrity. The CVSS score is 4.6 (medium severity), reflecting limited attack vector (local CLI usage) and required privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Actual to version 26.6.0 or later, where the CSV injection vulnerability is fixed by properly neutralizing formula-injection prefixes in CSV exports. No other mitigation is indicated or necessary as the fix is available in the official release.
CVE-2026-46672: CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in actualbudget actual
Description
Actual is a local-first personal finance app. Prior to 26.6.0, @actual-app/cli ships a hand-rolled CSV serializer in packages/cli/src/output.ts used whenever the global --format csv option is passed, whose escapeCsv helper only handles RFC 4180 delimiter, quote, and newline escaping and does not neutralize standard CSV formula-injection prefixes. Any CLI command that streams an object array containing user-controlled strings, including transactions list, accounts list, payees list, categories list, tags list, category-groups list, rules list, schedules list, and query, can emit cells that auto-evaluate when the resulting CSV is opened in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets, enabling data exfiltration and arbitrary formula execution. This issue is fixed in version 26.6.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.6medium
Affected software
pkg:github/actualbudget/actualRun on your own infrastructure? Check whether these packages are installed with threat-finder — our free open-source scanner.
Weaknesses
AI-Powered Analysis
Machine-generated threat intelligence
Technical Analysis
Actualbudget's Actual app versions before 26.6.0 include a hand-rolled CSV serializer in the CLI that inadequately escapes CSV content. Specifically, the escapeCsv helper only handles RFC 4180 delimiters, quotes, and newlines but fails to neutralize formula-injection prefixes in CSV cells. As a result, any CLI command exporting user-controlled string data to CSV can produce cells that execute formulas automatically when opened in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets. This vulnerability is classified as CWE-1236 and allows potential data exfiltration and arbitrary formula execution. The vulnerability is addressed in Actual version 26.6.0.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability allows an attacker to craft CSV exports containing malicious formulas that execute automatically when opened in common spreadsheet applications. This can lead to unauthorized data exfiltration and execution of arbitrary spreadsheet formulas, potentially compromising user data confidentiality and integrity. The CVSS score is 4.6 (medium severity), reflecting limited attack vector (local CLI usage) and required privileges.
Mitigation Recommendations
Upgrade Actual to version 26.6.0 or later, where the CSV injection vulnerability is fixed by properly neutralizing formula-injection prefixes in CSV exports. No other mitigation is indicated or necessary as the fix is available in the official release.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-05-15T21:46:51.547Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a4d6893c9d9e3dbe3d54561
Added to database: 07/07/2026, 20:58:59 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 12:16:34 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 22:52:13 UTC
Views: 97
Community Reviews
0 reviewsCrowdsource mitigation strategies, share intel context, and vote on the most helpful responses. Sign in to add your voice and help keep defenders ahead.
Want to contribute mitigation steps or threat intel context? Sign in or create an account to join the community discussion.
Actions
Updates to AI analysis require Pro Console access. Upgrade inside Console → Billing.
Need more coverage?
Upgrade to Pro Console for AI refresh and higher limits.
For incident response and remediation, OffSeq services can help resolve threats faster.
Latest Threats
Check if your credentials are on the dark web
Instant breach scanning across billions of leaked records. Free tier available.