CVE-2025-50572: Archer CSV Injection RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2025-50572 Overview

CVE-2025-50572 is a CSV Injection vulnerability affecting Archer 6.11.00204.10014 that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code through crafted system inputs. The attack leverages the CSV export functionality, where malicious formula payloads embedded in data fields are exported into CSV files. When a user opens the exported file with compatible spreadsheet applications such as Microsoft Excel, the injected formulas execute, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution on the victim's system.

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236 (Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File), a well-documented attack vector that exploits the automatic formula execution capabilities of spreadsheet software.

Critical Impact

Attackers can achieve arbitrary code execution on end-user systems by injecting malicious formulas into Archer data fields that are subsequently exported to CSV files and opened by users with spreadsheet applications.

Affected Products

• Archer 6.11.00204.10014
• RSA Archer 6.1.x and higher (as referenced in community documentation)

Discovery Timeline

• 2025-07-31 - CVE-2025-50572 published to NVD
• 2026-04-15 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2025-50572

Vulnerability Analysis

This CSV Injection vulnerability exploits the trust relationship between the Archer application's CSV export functionality and spreadsheet applications that process the exported files. The core issue stems from insufficient sanitization of user-controlled input before it is written to CSV output files.

When data containing formula elements (such as those beginning with =, @, +, or -) is exported to CSV format, spreadsheet applications like Microsoft Excel interpret these as executable formulas rather than plain text data. Attackers can craft payloads that leverage Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) or other formula-based techniques to execute arbitrary commands on the system where the CSV file is opened.

The attack requires user interaction—specifically, a victim must open the malicious CSV file with a spreadsheet application—but the social engineering barrier is relatively low since CSV exports are routine operations in enterprise GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) environments where Archer is commonly deployed.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2025-50572 is the failure to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied input before including it in CSV export files. Archer does not adequately neutralize formula elements, allowing attackers to inject malicious payloads through system input fields that are later exported.

According to CWE-1236, proper mitigation requires either prefixing potentially dangerous characters with a single quote (') or implementing other escaping mechanisms to prevent spreadsheet applications from interpreting cell contents as formulas.

Attack Vector

The attack is network-based, requiring no prior authentication for payload injection in certain scenarios. The attack chain proceeds as follows:

1. An attacker submits crafted input containing malicious formula elements (e.g., DDE payloads) into Archer data fields
2. A legitimate user exports data containing the malicious payload to CSV format
3. The victim opens the CSV file in a compatible spreadsheet application
4. The spreadsheet application executes the injected formula, triggering arbitrary code execution

Common payload patterns include DDE commands that spawn system processes, download remote payloads, or exfiltrate sensitive data. The exploitation requires user interaction (opening the file), but targeted phishing or social engineering can increase the likelihood of successful exploitation.

For detailed technical information and proof-of-concept examples, refer to the GitHub PoC for CSV Injection and the Archer Community Blog on CSV Vulnerability.

Detection Methods for CVE-2025-50572

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of formula characters (=, @, +, -) at the beginning of cell values in Archer data fields
• CSV export files containing DDE or formula injection patterns such as =cmd|, =HYPERLINK, or @SUM
• Unusual process spawning from spreadsheet applications (e.g., cmd.exe or powershell.exe child processes of Excel)
• Network connections initiated from spreadsheet applications to unexpected external hosts

Detection Strategies

• Implement application-layer monitoring to detect formula injection patterns in user input fields
• Deploy endpoint detection rules to alert on child process creation from spreadsheet applications executing CSV files
• Monitor CSV export operations for files containing potentially malicious formula elements
• Use SIEM correlation rules to identify patterns of formula injection attempts across multiple user sessions

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable logging for all CSV export operations in Archer and audit for anomalous patterns
• Configure endpoint protection to monitor for DDE-based attacks originating from spreadsheet applications
• Implement user behavior analytics to detect unusual export activity that may indicate reconnaissance or data staging
• Review and baseline normal CSV export patterns to identify deviations that may indicate exploitation attempts

How to Mitigate CVE-2025-50572

Immediate Actions Required

• Audit existing Archer data for potentially malicious formula injection payloads
• Educate users about the risks of opening CSV files from untrusted or unexpected sources
• Configure Microsoft Excel and other spreadsheet applications to disable automatic DDE execution
• Implement input validation controls at the application boundary to sanitize formula elements

Patch Information

The vendor (RSA/Archer) has not acknowledged this as a valid vulnerability report against their product as of the last CVE update. Organizations should monitor official vendor channels such as the Archer Main Website and RSA Main Website for any future security advisories or updates addressing this issue.

In the absence of a vendor-supplied patch, organizations should implement compensating controls as described in the workarounds section.

Workarounds

• Implement server-side input sanitization to prefix formula characters (=, @, +, -) with a single quote when storing data
• Configure CSV export functionality to automatically escape formula elements before writing to output files
• Disable DDE execution in Microsoft Office applications via Group Policy or registry settings
• Train users to review CSV files in text editors before opening them in spreadsheet applications

# Disable DDE execution in Microsoft Excel via registry (Windows)
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Security" /v WorkbookLinkWarnings /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
reg add "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel\Security\External Content" /v DisableAccessToOLEDBProviders /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f