MicroSCADA SYS600: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
CVE-2026-9852 is a high-severity improper neutralization of formula elements in a CSV file vulnerability in MicroSCADA SYS600 from Hitachi Energy, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 7.8 out of 10. It can be exploited with local access to the system by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected MicroSCADA SYS600 versions: 10.0 through 10.7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.21% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
High severity with no evidence of exploitation so far.
What to do
- Check which version of MicroSCADA SYS600 you run against the affected versions below, and install the vendor's latest release.
- Read the advisory on publisher.hitachienergy.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- 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
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hitachi Energy | MicroSCADA SYS600 | 10.0 through 10.7 | Not stated |
| Hitachienergy | Microscada X Sys600 | 10.0 through 10.7 | Not 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
- LocalThe attacker needs local access or must trick a user into running something.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- UnchangedImpact stays within the vulnerable component.
- 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:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 4.0 | 4.6 | Medium | CNA (hitachienergy.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 7.8 | High | NVD |
Official description
A CSV injection vulnerability exists in SYS600. Injected malicious formulas can add or modify data to the spreadsheet, insert links, exfiltrate data, and in some cases, depending on how the user has their environment configured, execute malicious code on the user’s machine. To exploit this issue attackers would need a way to create arbitrary log messages. This could be achieved through normal functionality via SCIL scripts, a log injection vulnerability, or via the SYS600 broker. This vulnerability affects all Windows users regardless of their privilege level who can run the Notify service and export the log.
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
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: partial).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Other vulnerabilities in MicroSCADA SYS600
- 7.8 High severity
- 7.8 High severity
- 8.2 High severity
Recent Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File vulnerabilities
- 8.2 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
- 9.6 Critical severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.3 High severity
- 8.8 High severity
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