# CVE-2023-41798: WordPress Directorist Plugin <= 7.7.1 is vulnerable to CSV Injection

> An attacker can inject malicious formulas into CSV exports, potentially leading to code execution when the file is opened in spreadsheet software.

- **Severity:** Medium 5.1 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** An administrator
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** A user has to click or open something
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 7 Nov 2023
- **Updated:** 28 Apr 2026
- **Also known as:** GHSA-gpjf-v934-73g5

## What is CVE-2023-41798?

CVE-2023-41798 is a medium-severity vulnerability in wpWax Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings, published on 7 Nov 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.

### Official description

Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File vulnerability in wpWax Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listing.This issue affects Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings: from n/a through 7.7.1.

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

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2023-41798?

It affects 1 product.


Products: Wpwax Directorist.

## How do I fix CVE-2023-41798?

No fix has been published for CVE-2023-41798 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2023-41798 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-41798 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in wpWax Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings

- [CVE-2023-1888](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-1888/): Directorist <= 7.5.4 - Authenticated (Subscriber+) Arbitrary User Password Reset to Privilege Escalation (high 8.8)
- [CVE-2025-1570](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2025-1570/): Auth bypass in Directorist: AI-Powered Business Directory, Listings & Classified Ads (high 8.1)
- [CVE-2021-24981](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2021-24981/): Directorist – Business Directory Plugin < 7.0.6.2 - CSRF to Remote File Upload (high 7.5)
- [CVE-2023-1889](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-1889/): Missing authorization in Directorist: AI-Powered Business Directory, Listings & Classified Ads (medium 6.5)
- [CVE-2022-3961](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2022-3961/): Directorist < 7.4.4 - Subscriber+ Sensitive Information Disclosure (medium 6.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2023-41798 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2023-41798 is a medium-severity vulnerability in wpWax Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings, published on 7 Nov 2023. An attacker needs administrator access to exploit it, and only if a user opens a file or follows a link.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2023-41798 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected product: wpWax Directorist – WordPress Business Directory Plugin with Classified Ads Listings. 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-2023-41798/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41798/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2023-41798
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-41798
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2023-41798

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From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2023-41798/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.