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Phpspreadsheet CVE-2025-22131

MEDIUM
Cross-site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79)
2025-01-20 security-advisories@github.com
5.1
CVSS 4.0 · GitHub Advisory
View

Vulnerability Assessment

Weakness
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A05:2025 - Injection
ASVS 5.0
V1 - Encoding and Sanitization Output encoding, context-aware escaping
MITRE ATT&CK

2 techniques across 2 tactics: Initial Access, Execution

The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up.

Impact

CVSS score of 5.1 (MEDIUM). Attack characteristics: network attack vector, low complexity, no privileges required, user interaction required. Public proof-of-concept exploit code is available. EPSS exploitation probability: 0.46%.

Exploit ScenarioDerived

A remote attacker could inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users by sending crafted requests to the affected application. No authentication is required to exploit this vulnerability.

This Month Plan within 30 days. Why: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9).
Patch available 0.5% exploitation probability (EPSS)

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AnalysisAIv1 – Mar 28, 2026

PhpSpreadsheet is a PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.1), this vulnerability is remotely exploitable, no authentication required, low attack complexity. Public exploit code available.

RemediationAI

A vendor patch is available. Apply the latest security update as soon as possible. Sanitize all user input, use Content-Security-Policy headers, encode output contextually (HTML, JS, URL). Use frameworks with built-in XSS protection.

Affected Packages

composer phpoffice/phpexcel no fix
composer phpoffice/phpspreadsheet fix: 1.29.8, 2.1.7, 2.3.6, 3.8.0

Source: OSV (Open Source Vulnerabilities)

Affects your stack

Affects 2 packages in composer

Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.

Technical ContextAI · show details

This vulnerability is classified as Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) (CWE-79), which allows attackers to inject malicious scripts into web pages viewed by other users. PhpSpreadsheet is a PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the code which translates the XLSX file into a HTML representation and displays it in the response. Affected products include: Phpoffice Phpspreadsheet.

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  • Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources

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Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY 5.1 MEDIUM
CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:A/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:L/SI:L/SA:N

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Attack Requirements
None
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
Active
Vulnerable system: Confidentiality
Low
Vulnerable system: Integrity
Low
Vulnerable system: Availability
None
Subsequent system: Confidentiality
Low
Subsequent system: Integrity
Low
Subsequent system: Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

3
Patch released
Mar 28, 2026 - 18:04 nvd
Patch available
PoC Detected
Mar 06, 2025 - 14:01 vuln.today
Public exploit code
CVE Published
Jan 20, 2025 - 16:15 nvd
MEDIUM 5.1

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

PhpSpreadsheet is a PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the code which translates the XLSX file into a HTML representation and displays it in the response.

Executive ViewAI

Why It Matters

Organizations using PhpSpreadsheet should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2025-22131, a cross-site scripting vulnerability rated CVSS 5.1. Attackers could inject scripts to steal sessions or perform actions as authenticated users. Proof-of-concept code is publicly available. A patch is available and should be applied during regular vulnerability management.

Business Impact: Low
Compensating Controls

Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: implement CSP headers, enable HttpOnly cookies, deploy WAF XSS rules.

Threat Intelligence Overview

EPSS Score
0.5%
Top 36% exploitable
Exploit
POC
Public exploit code exists

How this decision was reached

The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.

SignalValue
Severity MEDIUM
CISA KEV No
Public POC Yes
EPSS 0.5%
Patch available Yes
Active threat No
Deciding rule
MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9)
What every action level means
Emergency Immediate action required. Criteria: CRITICAL + in CISA KEV (actively exploited) without patch, OR CRITICAL + EPSS > 30% without patch, OR CRITICAL + active threat signals without patch.
Act Now Prioritize within 24-48h. Criteria: in KEV with patch available, OR CRITICAL + public POC, OR HIGH + EPSS > 10%, OR CRITICAL + active threat, OR any CRITICAL severity.
This Week Schedule remediation this week. Criteria: HIGH severity (CVSS 7.0-8.9). Patch within normal change window.
This Month Plan within 30 days. Criteria: MEDIUM severity (CVSS 4.0-6.9), lower exploitation probability. Include in regular patch cycle.
Monitor Track and reassess. Criteria: LOW severity (CVSS 0.1-3.9), minimal exploitation risk. No immediate action needed.

SSVC AssessmentENISA

SSVC Decision· derived
Scheduled
Exploitation· derived
Poc
System Exposure· derived
Open
Automatable· derived
No
Human Impact
Low

Priority Score

46
Low Medium High Critical
KEV: 0
EPSS: 0
CVSS: +26
PoC: +20
Weaponized: 0
Threat intel: 0
Gov advisory: 0

Attack Technique

Cross-Site Scripting occurs when an application accepts untrusted data and sends it to a web browser without proper validation or encoding.

Affected Products (CPE)GitHub Advisory

cpe:2.3:a:phpoffice:phpspreadsheet:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:phpoffice:phpspreadsheet:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:phpoffice:phpspreadsheet:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
cpe:2.3:a:phpoffice:phpspreadsheet:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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