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Medium

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 c

  • Disclosed: 30.07.2021
  • Updated: 11.10.2026 13:19

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. The problem has been fixed in AccessControl 4.3 and 5.2. Only AccessControl versions 4 and 5 are vulnerable, and only on Python 3, not Python 2.7. As a workaround, a site administrator can restrict adding/editing Script (Python) objects through the web using the standard Zope user/role permission mechanisms. Untrusted users should not be assigned the Zope Manager role and adding/editing these scripts through the web should be restricted to trusted users only. This is the default configuration in Zope.

Affected software

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PlatformPackageVulnerable versionsFixed in
Python (PyPI) accesscontrol >= 4.0, < 4.3, >= 5.0, < 5.2 4.3, 5.2
Python (PyPI) zope >= 4.0, < 4.3, >= 5.0, < 5.2 4.3, 5.2

References

CVSS score 4.4/10
CVSS vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Weakness (CWE)
CWE-1321, CWE-915
Platform
Python (PyPI)
Package
accesscontrol, zope
Disclosed
30.07.2021
Updated
11.10.2026 13:19

Sources and licenses

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-335 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf - CC BY 4.0

OSV / GitHub Advisory Database - PYSEC-2021-875 - PyPA Advisory Database; CC BY 4.0

Vulnerability history: zope

All published vulnerabilities of this package (Python (PyPI)), newest first. Shows whether this is a one-off slip or a package that needs watching.

All (17) in the archive
Total entries
17
First → latest
05.2021 11.2024
Without a fix
4
Exploited in attacks
0

Severity breakdown

  • Critical 1
  • High 8
  • Medium 6
  • Low 2

Disclosures per year

Severity:
  1. Access control vulnerable to user data deletion by anonynmous users
    Critical · 9.1 CVE-2024-51734 < 5.11.1 5.11.1
  2. ZCatalog plug-in for Zope allows anonymous users to bypass access restrictions
    High CVE-2002-0688 >= 2.4.0, < 2.6.0 2.6.0
  3. Zope does not properly verify the access for objects with proxy roles
    High CVE-2002-0170 >= 2.2.0, < 2.4.4, >= 2.5.0, < 2.5.1 2.4.4, 2.5.1
  4. Zope does not properly perform security registration for legacy names
    High CVE-2000-1211 >= 2.2.0, <= 2.2.4 no fix
  5. Zope does not properly restrict access to the getRoles method
    High CVE-2000-0725 < 2.2.1 2.2.1
  6. Zope DTML implementation Improper Authentication
    High CVE-2000-0062 >= 2.2.0, <= 2.2.4 no fix
  7. Zope is an open-source web application server. Zope versions prior to versions 4.6.3 and 5.3 have a remote code execution security issue. In order to be affected, one must use Python 3 for one's Zope
    High · 7.5 CVE-2021-32811 >= 4.0, < 4.6.3, >= 5.0, < 5.3 4.6.3, 5.3
  8. 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 c this entry
    Medium · 4.4 CVE-2021-32807 >= 4.0, < 4.3, >= 5.0, < 5.2 4.3, 5.2
  9. Zope is an open-source web application server. This advisory extends the previous advisory at https://github.com/zopefoundation/Zope/security/advisories/GHSA-5pr9-v234-jw36 with additional cases of TA
    High · 8.8 CVE-2021-32674 >= 4.0, < 4.6.1, >= 5.0, < 5.2.1 4.6.1, 5.2.1
  10. Zope is an open-source web application server. In Zope versions prior to 4.6 and 5.2, users can access untrusted modules indirectly through Python modules that are available for direct use. By default
    High · 8.8 CVE-2021-32633 < 4.6, >= 5.0, < 5.2 4.6, 5.2

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