CVE-2026-50179: CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in actualbudget actual
Actual is a local-first personal finance tool. Prior to 26.6.0, exportToCSV and exportQueryToCSV in packages/loot-core/src/server/transactions/export/export-to-csv.ts pass user-controlled Payee, Notes, Account, and Category strings to csv-stringify with no cast callback and no formula-prefix neutralization. Strings that begin with equals sign, plus, minus, at sign, tab, or carriage return survive verbatim into the exported CSV, and when a recipient opens the file in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets, the strings are interpreted as formulas, enabling transaction data exfiltration and attacker-chosen spreadsheet display values. This issue is fixed in version 26.6.0.
AI Analysis
Technical Summary
The vulnerability in Actualbudget's Actual (CVE-2026-50179) involves improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV exports. Specifically, the exportToCSV and exportQueryToCSV functions pass user-controlled fields (Payee, Notes, Account, Category) directly to csv-stringify without applying a cast callback or formula-prefix neutralization. As a result, strings beginning with formula characters are preserved verbatim in the CSV output. When opened in common spreadsheet applications, these strings are interpreted as formulas, which can lead to transaction data exfiltration and manipulation of displayed spreadsheet values. This vulnerability is addressed in Actual version 26.6.0.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability can cause spreadsheet software to interpret user-controlled CSV fields as formulas, potentially enabling exfiltration of transaction data and manipulation of spreadsheet display values. The CVSS score is 4.2 (medium severity), indicating limited impact with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and low confidentiality and integrity impact. There are no known exploits in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in Actual version 26.6.0 that neutralizes formula prefixes in CSV exports. Users should upgrade to version 26.6.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation steps are specified or required.
CVE-2026-50179: CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in actualbudget actual
Description
Actual is a local-first personal finance tool. Prior to 26.6.0, exportToCSV and exportQueryToCSV in packages/loot-core/src/server/transactions/export/export-to-csv.ts pass user-controlled Payee, Notes, Account, and Category strings to csv-stringify with no cast callback and no formula-prefix neutralization. Strings that begin with equals sign, plus, minus, at sign, tab, or carriage return survive verbatim into the exported CSV, and when a recipient opens the file in Excel, LibreOffice Calc, or Google Sheets, the strings are interpreted as formulas, enabling transaction data exfiltration and attacker-chosen spreadsheet display values. This issue is fixed in version 26.6.0.
CVSS v3.1
Score 4.2medium
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
The vulnerability in Actualbudget's Actual (CVE-2026-50179) involves improper neutralization of formula elements in CSV exports. Specifically, the exportToCSV and exportQueryToCSV functions pass user-controlled fields (Payee, Notes, Account, Category) directly to csv-stringify without applying a cast callback or formula-prefix neutralization. As a result, strings beginning with formula characters are preserved verbatim in the CSV output. When opened in common spreadsheet applications, these strings are interpreted as formulas, which can lead to transaction data exfiltration and manipulation of displayed spreadsheet values. This vulnerability is addressed in Actual version 26.6.0.
Potential Impact
The vulnerability can cause spreadsheet software to interpret user-controlled CSV fields as formulas, potentially enabling exfiltration of transaction data and manipulation of spreadsheet display values. The CVSS score is 4.2 (medium severity), indicating limited impact with network attack vector, high attack complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required, and low confidentiality and integrity impact. There are no known exploits in the wild.
Mitigation Recommendations
A fix is available in Actual version 26.6.0 that neutralizes formula prefixes in CSV exports. Users should upgrade to version 26.6.0 or later to remediate this vulnerability. No other mitigation steps are specified or required.
Technical Details
- Data Version
- 5.2
- Assigner Short Name
- GitHub_M
- Date Reserved
- 2026-06-03T22:05:13.644Z
- Cvss Version
- 3.1
- State
- PUBLISHED
- Remediation Level
- null
Threat ID: 6a4d7350c9d9e3dbe3e36b0b
Added to database: 07/07/2026, 21:44:48 UTC
Last enriched: 07/15/2026, 11:54:21 UTC
Last updated: 08/19/2026, 22:52:13 UTC
Views: 77
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