CyberSecBulletin
CVE-2024-22063NVD status: Analyzed

ZENIC ONE R58: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File

Published Updated By the CyberSecBulletin desk

CVE-2024-22063 is a critical-severity improper neutralization of formula elements in a CSV file vulnerability in ZENIC ONE R58 from ZTE, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.0 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an attacker with a low-privileged account, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected ZENIC ONE R58 versions: ZENIC ONE R58V16.24.20SP01 and earlier. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.83% chance of exploitation within 30 days, higher than 58% of scored CVEs.

Patch this week

Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.

What to do

  1. Check which version of ZENIC ONE R58 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
  2. Read the advisory on support.zte.com.cn for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
  3. Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.

Affected products and versions

VendorProductAffected versionsFixed in
ZTEZENIC ONE R58ZENIC ONE R58V16.24.20SP01 and earlierNot stated

Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.

How the severity score breaks down

Attack vector
NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
Attack complexity
LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
Privileges required
LowA basic user account is enough.
User interaction
RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
Scope
ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
Confidentiality
HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
Integrity
HighData or code can be modified at will.
Availability
HighThe component can be taken down completely.

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.

Scoring systemScoreSeverityScored by
CVSS 3.17.6HighCNA (zte.com.cn)
CVSS 3.19.0CriticalNVD

Official description

The ZENIC ONE R58 products by ZTE Corporation have a command injection vulnerability. An authenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability to tamper with messages, inject malicious code, and subsequently launch attacks on related devices.

Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.

The underlying weakness: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File

The product saves user-provided information into a Comma-Separated Value (CSV) file, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as a command when the file is opened by a spreadsheet product.

How developers prevent this class of flaw

  • When generating CSV output, ensure that formula-sensitive metacharacters are effectively escaped or removed from all data before storage in the resultant CSV. Risky characters include '=' (equal), '+' (plus), '-' (minus), and '@' (at).
  • If a field starts with a formula character, prepend it with a ' (single apostrophe), which prevents Excel from executing the formula.
  • Certain implementations of spreadsheet software might disallow formulas from executing if the file is untrusted, or if the file is not authored by the current user.

More Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File vulnerabilities (CWE-1236)

Timeline

  1. CVE record published.
  2. CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
  3. Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).

References

Recent Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File vulnerabilities

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