CVE-2001-0128 in Zope
Summary
by MITRE
Zope before 2.2.4 does not properly compute local roles, which could allow users to bypass specified access restrictions and gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-0128 affects Zope content management systems prior to version 2.2.4, specifically targeting the local roles implementation mechanism that governs user access control within the application. This flaw represents a critical authorization bypass vulnerability that undermines the fundamental security model of the platform. The local roles system in Zope is designed to provide fine-grained access control by allowing administrators to assign specific permissions to users or groups within particular sections or objects of the content hierarchy. When properly implemented, this mechanism ensures that users can only access content for which they have explicit authorization, creating a robust security boundary around sensitive information and administrative functions.
The technical flaw stems from improper computation of local roles within Zope's access control system, where the application fails to correctly validate or enforce role assignments when users attempt to access restricted resources. This miscalculation occurs during the permission checking process, allowing authenticated users to exploit logical inconsistencies in the role evaluation algorithm. The vulnerability manifests when the system does not properly cross-reference user roles against the specific access control lists defined for individual objects or folders. Attackers can leverage this weakness to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to content that should be restricted to specific user groups or roles, effectively bypassing the intended access controls that protect sensitive data and administrative functions within the Zope environment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access, as it can enable attackers to compromise the entire content management infrastructure. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially access confidential documents, modify or delete content, manipulate user accounts, and gain access to administrative functions that should be restricted to privileged users only. This privilege escalation capability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where Zope serves as a corporate content management system or web application platform, as it can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects not only individual user accounts but can also undermine the integrity of the entire access control framework, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to sensitive resources.
Organizations using Zope versions prior to 2.2.4 should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to the patched version 2.2.4 or later, which resolves the local roles computation issue through corrected access control logic. Security administrators should also conduct thorough audits of existing user permissions and access control configurations to identify any potential exploitation that may have already occurred. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to Zope systems, enforcing strict authentication mechanisms, and monitoring access logs for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls beyond simple patch management to protect against such authorization bypass vulnerabilities.