# CVE-2023-7101: Spreadsheet::ParseExcel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2023-7101-spreadsheet-parseexcel-remote-code-execution-vulnerability  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2024-01-02. Updated: 2026-05-09  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2023-7101 · Severity: critical · CVSS 7.8 · Exploited in the wild · Published 2024-01-02

Spreadsheet::ParseExcel is vulnerable to remote code execution due to the evaluation of unvalidated Number format strings from Excel files within a string-type eval function. This allows an attacker to execute arbitrary Perl code when a specially crafted spreadsheet is parsed by the library.

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2023-7101 exploited in the wild?** Yes. CVE-2023-7101 is known to be exploited in the wild, first recorded on 2 January 2024. Treat it as urgent.

**How severe is CVE-2023-7101?** Critical severity, with a CVSS score of 7.8, published 2 January 2024.

**Which products and versions are affected?** jmcnamara Spreadsheet::ParseExcel 0.65.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2023-7101?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2023-7101 attacked?** It is attacked with local access, in a software library.

**Am I affected by CVE-2023-7101?** Check whether you run Spreadsheet::Parseexcel. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## Affected products

- jmcnamara Spreadsheet::ParseExcel 0.65

## Timeline

- 2023-12-29: disclosed: Initial disclosure on oss-security mailing list
- 2024-01-02: advisory: NVD publication date
- 2024-01-02: kev added: Added to CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog