Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-47901 affects dirsearch 0.4.1 when CSV reports are generated. A malicious website can cause crafted redirect data to be written into the report as spreadsheet formulas. If that report is later opened in spreadsheet software, the formulas may execute or manipulate report data.
Executive priority
Prioritize for security teams and automation that scan untrusted sites and share CSV reports. This is not a typical server takeover bug, but it can turn reporting workflows into a data integrity or endpoint compromise risk if spreadsheet handling is unsafe.
Technical view
The issue is CSV formula injection, categorized as CWE-1236, in dirsearch 0.4.1 with the --csv-report flag. Attacker-controlled redirects can place comma-separated paths containing formulas into generated CSV output. The provided record rates it CVSS 9.8, but practical impact depends on use of CSV reporting and downstream spreadsheet handling.
Likely exposure
Exposure is limited to environments using maurosoria dirsearch version 0.4.1 and generating CSV reports against attacker-controlled or untrusted web targets. Systems that do not use CSV output, do not scan untrusted targets, or do not open reports in spreadsheet tools have lower practical exposure.
Exploitation context
Public exploit information is referenced by ExploitDB, but the source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or confirmed active exploitation. Exploitation requires influencing HTTP redirects encountered by dirsearch and depends on how the generated CSV report is consumed afterward.
Researcher notes
The record names dirsearch 0.4.1 only. Available sources identify public exploit material and a VulnCheck advisory, but no KEV status. Validate behavior in a controlled lab without weaponizing payloads, and distinguish scanner-side report injection from direct compromise of the scanned host.
Mitigation direction
- Identify whether dirsearch 0.4.1 is installed or packaged in security tooling environments.
- Avoid using CSV report output against untrusted targets until vendor guidance is confirmed.
- Treat generated CSV reports from untrusted scans as unsafe spreadsheet input.
- Check the upstream dirsearch repository and advisories for fixed versions or official guidance.
Validation and detection
- Inventory dirsearch versions in analyst workstations, CI jobs, and scanning containers.
- Review automation for use of CSV report generation.
- Check whether reports are opened in Excel, LibreOffice, or similar spreadsheet software.
- Confirm remediation status against vendor repository or advisory updates.
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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CWE-1236: Exact CWE lookup
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Open ATT&CK lookupCVE-2021-47901 mapping review
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Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Critical
- CVSS
- 9.8 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
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:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H3.95.9Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
9.8CriticalVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- ExploitDB-49370CVE reference · exploit
- dirsearch GitHub RepositoryCVE reference · product
- VulnCheck Advisory: dirsearch 0.4.1 - CSV InjectionCVE reference · third-party-advisory
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.