Individual skill
exploiting-csv-formula-injection
Identifying and exploiting CSV/Excel formula (DDE) injection in import and export features where attacker-controlled data is written into spreadsheets and executed when opened in Excel or LibreOffice.
internal/tools/skills/data/web-application-security/exploiting-csv-formula-injection/SKILL.md
Source commit d42f381ad34843e71a42658e5c57290c713e85af
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- Last checked
- Nov 7, 2026
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- Repository last updated
- Nov 7, 2026
- License
- Apache-2.0
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- cybersecurity Repository topic
- security Repository topic
- bug-bounty Repository topic
- automation Repository topic
- autonomous-pentesting Repository topic
- ai-agent Repository topic
- ai-security Repository topic
- ethical-hacking Repository topic
- golang Repository topic
- penetration-testing Repository topic
- penetration-testing Declared skill tag
- csv-injection Declared skill tag
- formula-injection Declared skill tag
- dde Declared skill tag
- excel Declared skill tag
- spreadsheet Declared skill tag
- web-security Declared skill tag
- data Derived category
- security Derived category
- testing Derived category
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# Exploiting CSV Formula Injection
## When to Use
- During authorized penetration tests of any application that exports user-controlled data to CSV, XLS, or XLSX
- When the target has "Export to CSV/Excel", report generators, audit logs, or admin dashboards that dump user-submitted fields
- When user input (name, address, comment, support ticket, profile field) is later downloaded and opened by another user or an administrator in a spreadsheet client
- For validating that exported fields are neutralized (prefixed/escaped) before reaching a spreadsheet engine
- During bug bounty programs targeting injection and client-side code execution via documents
## Prerequisites
- **Authorization**: Written penetration testing agreement covering client-side execution payloads
- **Microsoft Excel and LibreOffice Calc**: To validate behavior across both engines (DDE differs)