CVE-2020-36962: Tendenci 12.3.1 contains a CSV formula injection vulnerability in the contact form message field that allows a

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CRITICAL 9.8REMOTEDOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-36962 is a critical-severity flaw (CVSS 9.8) affecting tendenci. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

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.

Why this priority

Critical severity
EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference
Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	9.8 (Critical)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	12.5% (top 4%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-1236
Published	2026-01-28
Last modified	2026-10-08

Publisher (CNA): VulnCheck · Vendor: tendenci

Last updated 2026-10-08 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2026-01-28 18:16 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-10-08 16:16 UTCUpdated Record last modified

tendenci tendenci DOWNGRADE

Affected: 12.3.1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 12.3.1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy tendenci || rpm -q tendenci || tendenci --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 12.3.1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison tendenci sudo apt install tendenci=<VERSION_BEFORE_12.3.1> sudo apt-mark hold tendenci

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list tendenci sudo dnf downgrade tendenci-<VERSION_BEFORE_12.3.1> sudo dnf versionlock add tendenci

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Exact fixes by distribution

A distro patch exists: prefer upgrading over downgrading.

Python (pip) · tendenci · FIXED · 12.3.2 · vulnerable: < 12.3.2 · source

pip install --upgrade "tendenci>=12.3.2" pip show tendenci

Fedora 46 · proftpd · FIXED · 1.3.9e-2.fc46 · FEDORA-2026-fcb0a25c2f · source

sudo dnf upgrade --advisory=FEDORA-2026-fcb0a25c2f

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Write-up: www.exploit-db.com/exploits/49145

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-36962?

tendenci: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-36962 being exploited?

CVE-2020-36962 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-36962 affect?

CVE-2020-36962 affects tendenci. Severity is critical (CVSS 9.8). 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

How urgent is CVE-2020-36962?

Priority 68/100. Critical severity; EPSS top 4%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference; Remotely exploitable, no login, no user action

Related CVEs

CVE-2026-23946 MEDIUM 6.8 UPGRADE Tendenci is an open source content management system built for non-profits, associations and cause-based sites
CVE-2025-70960 MEDIUM 5.4 DOWNGRADE A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Forums module of Tendenci CMS v15.3.7 allows attacker
CVE-2025-70959 MEDIUM 5.4 DOWNGRADE A stored cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the Jobs module of Tendenci CMS v15.3.7 allows attackers

References

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