Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
Delta Electronics DIALink can store spreadsheet formulas inside tag data. If someone later opens that data in a spreadsheet application, the formula may run. The issue is medium severity because it needs high privileges and user interaction, but it can still affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Executive priority
Handle as a moderate operational technology hygiene issue. Prioritize sites that use DIALink with spreadsheet-based workflows or broad privileged access, but do not treat it as an internet-scale emergency based on the provided evidence.
Technical view
CVE-2021-38424 is CWE-1236 formula injection in the DIALink tag interface. The provided CVSS 3.1 vector is AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L, score 5.9. The source description identifies DIALink versions 1.2.4.0 and prior as vulnerable.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most likely in organizations using Delta Electronics DIALink where privileged users can edit tag data and exported or viewed tag information is opened in spreadsheet software.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not cite active exploitation, and KEV is false. Exploitation requires a highly privileged attacker and a user opening affected data in a spreadsheet application.
Researcher notes
The provided evidence supports formula injection through tag data, not direct code execution without user interaction. Patch or workaround details are not included in the bundle, so remediation should be tied to vendor or CISA advisory guidance.
Mitigation direction
- Identify DIALink deployments and confirm whether versions are 1.2.4.0 or prior.
- Check Delta Electronics and CISA guidance for fixed versions or official mitigations.
- Restrict tag-interface access to trusted users with a clear operational need.
- Treat exported tag data as untrusted before opening it in spreadsheet applications.
- Review spreadsheet handling procedures for operators and engineering staff.
Validation and detection
- Inventory DIALink instances and record deployed versions.
- Review user roles with permission to create or edit tag data.
- Map workflows where tag data is exported or opened in spreadsheets.
- Check whether vendor guidance has been applied to affected systems.
- Confirm users understand the risk of opening untrusted spreadsheet data.
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
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ATT&CK lookup starting points
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CWE-1236: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-38424 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5.9 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
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 vector scores
1 official scoreWe collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L1.73.7Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5.9MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:L
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://us-cert.cisa.gov/ics/advisories/icsa-21-294-02CVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
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.
Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File represents a recurring weakness pattern that can create exploitable paths when design, validation, or implementation controls are missing.