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  5. CVE-2021-32807

CVE-2021-32807: Remote Code Execution via unsafe classes in otherwise permitted modules

August 5, 2021 (updated June 9, 2026)

The module AccessControl defines security policies for Python code used in restricted code within Zope applications. Restricted code is any code that resides in Zope’s object database, such as the contents of Script (Python) objects.

The policies defined in AccessControl severely restrict access to Python modules and only exempt a few that are deemed safe, such as Python’s string module. However, full access to the string module also allows access to the class Formatter, which can be overridden and extended within Script (Python) in a way that provides access to other unsafe Python libraries. Those unsafe Python libraries can be used for remote code execution.

By default, you need to have the admin-level Zope “Manager” role to add or edit Script (Python) objects through the web. Only sites that allow untrusted users to add/edit these scripts through the web - which would be a very unusual configuration to begin with - are at risk.

References

  • github.com/advisories/GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf
  • github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/accesscontrol/PYSEC-2021-335.yaml
  • github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/accesscontrol/PYSEC-2021-370.yaml
  • github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/zope/PYSEC-2021-368.yaml
  • github.com/pypa/advisory-database/tree/main/vulns/zope/PYSEC-2021-875.yaml
  • github.com/zopefoundation/AccessControl/blob/master/CHANGES.rst
  • github.com/zopefoundation/AccessControl/commit/ae2dab0cc34e6dd1561c5b12d4a56cd140f87e1d
  • github.com/zopefoundation/AccessControl/commit/b42dd4badf803bb9fb71ac34cd9cb0c249262f2c
  • github.com/zopefoundation/AccessControl/security/advisories/GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf
  • github.com/zopefoundation/Zope/commit/869f947e586517566509e0ccdd4d99b60704cc02
  • github.com/zopefoundation/Zope/commit/f72a18dda8e9bf2aedb46168761668464a4be988
  • github.com/zopefoundation/Zope/security/advisories/GHSA-g4gq-j4p2-j8fr
  • nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2021-32807

Code Behaviors & Features

Detect and mitigate CVE-2021-32807 with GitLab Dependency Scanning

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Affected versions

All versions starting from 4.0.0 before 4.3.0, all versions starting from 5.0.0 before 5.2.0

Fixed versions

  • 4.3.0
  • 5.2.0

Solution

Upgrade to versions 4.3.0, 5.2.0 or above.

Impact 4.4 MEDIUM

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Learn more about CVSS

Weakness

  • CWE-1321: Improperly Controlled Modification of Object Prototype Attributes ('Prototype Pollution')
  • CWE-915: Improperly Controlled Modification of Dynamically-Determined Object Attributes

Source file

pypi/AccessControl/CVE-2021-32807.yml

Spotted a mistake? Edit the file on GitLab.

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