{"id":30656,"date":"2025-04-24T20:11:08","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T20:11:08","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2025-05-10T18:19:53","modified_gmt":"2025-05-10T18:19:53","slug":"cve-2024-53924-untrusted-spreadsheet-code-execution-in-pycel-1-0b30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ameeba.com\/blog\/cve-2024-53924-untrusted-spreadsheet-code-execution-in-pycel-1-0b30\/","title":{"rendered":"CVE-2024-53924: Untrusted Spreadsheet Code Execution in Pycel 1.0b30<\/strong>"},"content":{"rendered":"

Overview<\/strong><\/p>\n

The vulnerability CVE-2024-53924 is a serious security flaw in Pycel, a Python library widely used for its powerful spreadsheet manipulation capabilities. The vulnerability, which is present in versions up to and including 1.0b30, allows potential attackers to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system via a maliciously crafted formula in a spreadsheet cell. Given the widespread use of Pycel in various applications and services, this vulnerability has a broad impact<\/a>, potentially allowing unauthorized access to sensitive information or even compromising entire systems.<\/p>\n

Vulnerability Summary<\/strong><\/p>\n

CVE ID: CVE-2024-53924
\nSeverity: Critical (CVSS 9.8)
\nAttack Vector: Network
\nPrivileges Required: None
\nUser Interaction: Required
\nImpact: System compromise and potential<\/a> data leakage<\/p>\n

Affected Products<\/strong><\/p>\n

Product | Affected Versions<\/p>\n

Pycel | Up to and including 1.0b30<\/p>\n

How the Exploit Works<\/strong><\/p>\n

The vulnerability stems from Pycel’s handling<\/a> of spreadsheet formulas. When an untrusted spreadsheet is processed by Pycel, a maliciously crafted cell formula, such as one beginning with the IF function, can trigger arbitrary code execution<\/a>. The arbitrary code is executed<\/a> when the IF condition is met. By exploiting this flaw, an attacker could execute any command<\/a> on the host system.<\/p>\n

Conceptual Example Code<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a conceptual example, consider a spreadsheet containing a cell with the following formula:<\/p>\n

=IF(A1=200, eval(\"__import__('os').system('rm -rf \/')\"), \"\")<\/code><\/pre>\n
If Pycel processes this spreadsheet and the value of cell A1 is 200, it would trigger the eval function, importing the os module and executing the ‘rm -rf \/’ command, which deletes all files in the root directory of the Unix-based host system<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Impact of the Exploit<\/strong><\/p>\n
A successful exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise or potential<\/a> data leakage. An attacker could manipulate, exfiltrate, or delete data. In the worst-case scenario, the attacker could gain complete control over the system, depending on the system’s privileges<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Mitigation Guidance<\/strong><\/p>\n
Users of Pycel are strongly advised to apply the vendor’s patch as soon as possible. In the interim, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) or Intrusion Detection System (IDS) can be used to mitigate the risk, but these are temporary measures and not a substitute for the vendor’s patch.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Overview The vulnerability CVE-2024-53924 is a serious security flaw in Pycel, a Python library widely used for its powerful spreadsheet manipulation capabilities. The vulnerability, which is present in versions up to and including 1.0b30, allows potential attackers to execute arbitrary code on a targeted system via a maliciously crafted formula in a spreadsheet cell. Given […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"vendor":[],"product":[],"attack_vector":[80],"asset_type":[],"severity":[],"exploit_status":[],"class_list":["post-30656","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","attack_vector-rce"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t