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Vulnerability Intelligence

CVE-2023-7101

HighExploitedPublic exploit

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files.

Published May 16, 2025 · Updated Aug 7, 2026 · Also known as DEBIAN-CVE-2023-7101, DLA-3702-1, DSA-5592-1, RSEC-2023-9, SUSE-SU-2024:0158-1, UBUNTU-CVE-2023-7101, USN-6781-1

Key Facts

Patch immediately
  • CVE-2023-7101 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting Spreadsheet\ (Jmcnamara), Debian Linux, Fedora (Fedoraproject) and 4 more products.
  • It is exploited in the wild, listed in CISA KEV, Industry KEV feed, CIRCL KEV, ENISA EUVD since Dec 25, 2023. Public exploit code is available.
  • EPSS estimates a 19% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
  • Fixed versions are available, including gdata 3.0.0, Spreadsheet\ <=0.65, libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl 0.5800-1ubuntu0.1~esm1.
  • Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is listed as exploited in the wild.

CVSS v3.1

7.8

CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)

19%

Higher than 97.2% of all scored CVEs

Exploited in the wild

Yes

4 catalog listings

Public exploit code

Available

Proof-of-concept or weaponized module

Get the full CVE-2023-7101 brief as a PDF

Every affected product and fixed release, exploitation status and a first 24 hours response checklist, emailed within minutes.

Description

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel version 0.65 is a Perl module used for parsing Excel files. Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to an arbitrary code execution (ACE) vulnerability due to passing unvalidated input from a file into a string-type “eval”. Specifically, the issue stems from the evaluation of Number format strings (not to be confused with printf-style format strings) within the Excel parsing logic.

Known-Exploited Catalog Listings

CatalogAddedRemediation dueRansomware use
CISA KEVJan 2, 2024Jan 23, 2024Not reported
Industry KEV feedDec 25, 2023Jan 23, 2024Not reported
CIRCL KEVJan 2, 2024Jan 23, 2024Not reported
ENISA EUVDJan 2, 2024n/aNot reported

Required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.

Affected Products

78 affected entries in total
ProductAffected versionsFixed in
Spreadsheet\Jmcnamara\-parseexcel0.65
Debian LinuxDebian10.0n/a
FedoraFedoraproject38, 39n/a
perl-Spreadsheet-ParseExcelalpineSee advisory0.66-r0
gdatacran>= 2.16.13.0.0
2 more affected products in the full CVE brief

Patched Releases

gdata

3.0.0

Spreadsheet\

<=0.65

libspreadsheet-parseexcel-perl

0.5800-1ubuntu0.1~esm1, 0.6500-1.1+deb11u1, 0.6500-1.1ubuntu0.1, 0.6500-1+deb10u1, 0.6500-1ubuntu0.16.04.1~esm1, 0.6500-1ubuntu0.18.04.1~esm1, 0.6500-1ubuntu0.20.04.1, 0.6500-4, 0.6500-4~deb12u1

perl-Spreadsheet-ParseExcel

0.66-r0, 0.5900-5.3.amzn1, 0.65-150000.3.3.1, 0.6500-28.amzn2023.0.3, 0.660.0-1.1

Timeline

  1. Added to Industry KEV feed

    Dec 25, 2023

  2. Added to CISA KEV

    Jan 2, 2024

  3. Added to CIRCL KEV

    Jan 2, 2024

  4. Added to ENISA EUVD

    Jan 2, 2024

  5. Publicly disclosed

    May 16, 2025

  6. Last updated

    Aug 7, 2026

Weakness Type

  • CWE-94 Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
  • CWE-95 Improper Neutralization of Directives in Dynamically Evaluated Code ('Eval Injection')

References

15 more references in the full CVE brief

FAQ

Common Questions.

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