Vulnerability Description
PhpSpreadsheet is a pure PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. In versions 4.0.0 through 5.8.0, 3.3.0 through 3.10.6, 2.2.0 through 2.4.6, 2.0.0 through 2.1.17, and all releases up to and including 1.30.5, the OLE reader follows sector chains from attacker-controlled XLS/OLE metadata without detecting cycles or enforcing a maximum chain length. A tiny malformed .xls/OLE file can set the small-block depot sector chain to point back to itself. During normal XLS detection, OLERead::read() appends the same sector data repeatedly until the PHP process exhausts memory. This is reachable from Reader\Xls::canRead() and therefore from automatic spreadsheet type detection. Applications that accept attacker-controlled spreadsheet uploads can suffer denial of service from a very small file. This issue has been fixed in versions 5.8.1, 3.10.7, 2.4.7, 2.1.18 and 1.30.6.
CVSS Score
HIGH
Related Weaknesses (CWE)
References
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/commit/85f2556b0bf5269061bf45932ecda
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/releases/tag/1.30.6
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/releases/tag/2.1.18
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/releases/tag/2.4.7
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/releases/tag/3.10.7
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/releases/tag/5.8.1
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/security/advisories/GHSA-xh5m-36r6-4
- https://github.com/PHPOffice/PhpSpreadsheet/security/advisories/GHSA-xh5m-36r6-4
FAQ
What is CVE-2026-59933?
CVE-2026-59933 is a vulnerability with a CVSS score of 7.5 (HIGH). PhpSpreadsheet is a pure PHP library for reading and writing spreadsheet files. In versions 4.0.0 through 5.8.0, 3.3.0 through 3.10.6, 2.2.0 through 2.4.6, 2.0.0 through 2.1.17, and all releases up to...
How severe is CVE-2026-59933?
CVE-2026-59933 has been rated HIGH with a CVSS base score of 7.5/10. Review the CVSS metrics above for detailed severity breakdown.
Is there a patch for CVE-2026-59933?
Check the references section above for vendor advisories and patch information. Review vendor security bulletins for remediation guidance.