# CVE-2021-43515: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in Kimai 2

> Attackers can execute arbitrary code on victims' machines by injecting malicious formulas into the timesheet description field, which triggers when the data is exported to CSV.

- **Severity:** High 7.8 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Local or same network only
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 8 Apr 2022
- **Updated:** 4 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-64fq-9c6w-rq44

## What is CVE-2021-43515?

CVE-2021-43515 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Apr 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

CSV Injection (aka Excel Macro Injection or Formula Injection) exists in creating new timesheet in Kimai. By filling the Description field with malicious payload, it will be mistreated while exporting to a CSV file.

Weakness: CWE-1236 (Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2021-43515?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including kevinpapst/kimai2. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `kevinpapst/kimai2` | Packagist | All versions | 1.14.1 |
| `kevinpapst/kimai2` | Packagist | All versions | 1.14.1 |

Products: Kimai Kimai.

## How do I fix CVE-2021-43515?

Upgrade kevinpapst/kimai2 to 1.14.1 or later.

## Is CVE-2021-43515 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-43515 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in n/a

- [CVE-2020-19825](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2020-19825/): Cross-site Scripting in kimai/kimai (critical 9.6)
- [CVE-2023-53957](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-53957/): Kimai 1.30.10 SameSite Cookie Vulnerability Session Hijacking (high 8.5)
- [CVE-2023-46245](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-46245/): Kimai (Authenticated) SSTI to RCE by Uploading a Malicious Twig File (high 7.2)
- [CVE-2026-23626](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-23626/): Kimai Vulnerable to Authenticated Server-Side Template Injection (SSTI) (medium 6.8)
- [CVE-2024-29200](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-29200/): API returns timesheet entries a user should not be authorized to view (medium 6.8)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2021-43515 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2021-43515 is a high-severity vulnerability in n/a, published on 8 Apr 2022. It can only be exploited from the same machine or local network, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2021-43515 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- kevinpapst/kimai2 (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.14.1
- kevinpapst/kimai2 (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 1.14.1

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-43515/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-43515/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2021-43515
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-43515
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2021-43515

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-43515/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.