CVE-2020-36962: Tendenci Tendenci Is Vulnerable To CSV Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-4q3w-jgfx-4792
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CVSS 9.8
CWE-1236
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2020-36962 is a MODERATE (CVSS 9.8) tendenci is vulnerable to csv vulnerability (CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File) affecting Tendenci libraries in the PyPI ecosystem. The issue involves tendenci is vulnerable to csv formula injection through its contact form message field. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 12.3.2.

CVE-2020-36962 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2020-36962
GHSA Identifier GHSA-4q3w-jgfx-4792
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 9.8
CWE Classification CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File
Affected Product Tendenci
Package Ecosystem PyPI
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 9.8

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required None (PR:N)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2020-36962

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Tendenci dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

tendenci fixed: 12.3.2 
pip install tendenci>=12.3.2
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

pip show tendenci

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Python environment is affected by CVE-2020-36962, inspect your installed packages using pip:

pip show tendenci

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Tendenci in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 12.3.2), your application is affected.

Note: The pip show tendenci command checks currently installed packages in your active Python environment.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File, where the product saves user-provided information into a comma-separated value (csv) file, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as a command when the file is opened by a spreadsheet product. In Tendenci, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Tendenci 12.3.1 contains a CSV formula injection vulnerability in the contact form message field that allows attackers to inject malicious formulas during export. Attackers can submit crafted payloads like '=10+20+cmd|' /C calc'!A0' in the message field to trigger arbitrary command execution when the CSV is opened in spreadsheet applications.

CVE-2020-36962 Affected Tendenci Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
12.3.2
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
tendenci
pypi/tendenci
PyPI
< 12.3.2
12.3.2

References

NVD — CVE-2020-36962 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36962
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/tendenci/tendenci/commit/3e37622cac81440c5a1f97c39f112a2cf4a5450c
Tendenci Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tendenci/PYSEC-2026-136.yaml
Tendenci Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/tendenci/tendenci
www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49145 WEB
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49145
Tendenci Security Information SECURITY
https://www.tendenci.com
www.vulncheck.com/advisories/tendenci... WEB
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/tendenci-csv-formula-injection

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2020-36962?
CVE-2020-36962 is a security vulnerability in Tendenci involving Tendenci is Vulnerable to CSV Formula Injection through its Contact Form Message Field under CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File.
Which Tendenci versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 12.3.2 across affected packages: tendenci.
What version fixes CVE-2020-36962?
Upgrading to 12.3.2 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is tendenci affected?
Yes, tendenci is affected in releases prior to 12.3.2. Upgrade your dependency to 12.3.2 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2020-36962?
CVE-2020-36962 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 9.8 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2020-36962?
CVE-2020-36962 is classified under CWE-1236: Improper Neutralization of Formula Elements in a CSV File (The product saves user-provided information into a Comma-Separated Value (CSV) file, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could be interpreted as a command when the file is opened by a spreadsheet product.).
How can I check PyPI dependencies for CVE-2020-36962?
Run the dependency tree command: 'pip show tendenci'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-4q3w-jgfx-4792",
  "modified" : "2026-06-09T20:50:33Z",
  "published" : "2026-01-28T18:30:48Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2020-36962" ],
  "summary" : "Tendenci is Vulnerable to CSV Formula Injection through its Contact Form Message Field ",
  "details" : "Tendenci 12.3.1 contains a CSV formula injection vulnerability in the contact form message field that allows attackers to inject malicious formulas during export. Attackers can submit crafted payloads like '=10+20+cmd|' /C calc'!A0' in the message field to trigger arbitrary command execution when the CSV is opened in spreadsheet applications.",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  }, {
    "type" : "CVSS_V4",
    "score" : "CVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:N/PR:N/UI:P/VC:L/VI:L/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "PyPI",
      "name" : "tendenci"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "12.3.2"
      } ]
    } ]
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2020-36962"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/tendenci/tendenci/commit/3e37622cac81440c5a1f97c39f112a2cf4a5450c"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/tendenci/PYSEC-2026-136.yaml"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/tendenci/tendenci"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49145"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.tendenci.com"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/tendenci-csv-formula-injection"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-1236" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2026-06-09T20:50:33Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2026-01-28T18:16:46Z"
  }
}