Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
This issue affects older Symantec Endpoint Protection Mac clients that may place untrusted data into CSV files. If those files are later opened in a spreadsheet, embedded formulas or DDE content could execute in that context. The sources do not provide a CVSS score or confirmed exploitation.
Executive priority
Handle as a hygiene and endpoint-management risk, not an emergency based on the supplied evidence. Prioritize affected Mac fleets and administrator CSV workflows, especially where exports are routinely opened in spreadsheets.
Technical view
CVE-2018-12244 is a CSV/DDE injection vulnerability in Symantec Endpoint Protection Mac Client releases prior to and including 12.1 RU6 MP9 and prior to 14.2 RU1. The weakness is described as formula injection through untrusted input written into CSV output.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely where affected SEP Mac clients generate or handle CSV exports containing untrusted or attacker-influenced values, and users open those CSV files in spreadsheet software.
Exploitation context
The provided sources do not show CISA KEV listing, public exploitation, exploit code, or observed attacks. Practical impact appears dependent on CSV generation and user interaction with spreadsheet software.
Researcher notes
The record lacks CVSS, CWE, detailed attack prerequisites, and fixed-version wording beyond the affected ranges. Analysis should stay constrained to CSV/DDE formula injection in SEP Mac Client and avoid assuming broader Symantec product exposure.
Mitigation direction
- Inventory SEP Mac Client versions across managed macOS endpoints.
- Prioritize upgrades beyond affected versions, following Symantec advisory SYMSA1479.
- Treat SEP-generated CSV files from affected clients as untrusted.
- Limit spreadsheet opening of CSV exports from affected systems until remediated.
- Check vendor guidance before relying on compensating controls.
Validation and detection
- Confirm no macOS endpoint runs 12.1 RU6 MP9 or earlier.
- Confirm no macOS endpoint runs a 14.x release before 14.2 RU1.
- Review workflows that export SEP data to CSV.
- Verify administrators understand CSV formula-injection risk when opening exports.
- Document remediation status against Symantec advisory SYMSA1479.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context
These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.
ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CVE-2018-12244 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Unknown
- CVSS
- Not scored
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5
These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.
CVSS and timeline data
No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://support.symantec.com/en_US/article.SYMSA1479.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- 107999CVE reference · vdb-entry, x_refsource_BID
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.