# CVE-2023-2258: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in alfio-event/alf.io

> Attackers can inject malicious formulas into CSV exports, potentially leading to code execution when files are opened in spreadsheet software.

- **Severity:** High 8.8 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/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:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 24 Apr 2023
- **Updated:** 4 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** GHSA-7rc3-9hxj-g7h2

## What is CVE-2023-2258?

CVE-2023-2258 is a high-severity vulnerability in alfio-event/alf.io, published on 24 Apr 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File in GitHub repository alfio-event/alf.io prior to 2.0-M4-2304.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-2258?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Alf Alf.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-2258?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-2258 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-2258 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-2258 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in alfio-event/alf.io

- [CVE-2023-2259](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2259/): Improper Neutralization of Special Elements Used in a Template Engine in alfio-event/alf.io (critical 9.1)
- [CVE-2024-25635](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-25635/): IDOR Vulnerability: Allowing Organization Owner to view the other Organizations API KEY and USERS (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2023-2260](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2260/): Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key in alfio-event/alf.io (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2026-35482](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2026-35482/): alf.io has an Authenticated RCE via Extension Script Sandbox Escape (high 8.0)
- [CVE-2024-25628](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-25628/): Insufficient Session Expiration in alf.io (high 7.6)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-2258 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-2258 is a high-severity vulnerability in alfio-event/alf.io, published on 24 Apr 2023. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-2258 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: alfio-event/alf.io. No package-level version data is available, so check the vendor advisory linked from the reference page.

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-2023-2258/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2258/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-2258
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-2258
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-2258

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-2258/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.