CVE-2007-5741 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
Plone 2.5 through 2.5.4 and 3.0 through 3.0.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary Python code via network data containing pickled objects for the (1) statusmessages or (2) linkintegrity module, which the module unpickles and executes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-5741 represents a critical remote code execution flaw in the Plone content management system affecting versions 2.5 through 2.5.4 and 3.0 through 3.0.2. This vulnerability stems from the improper handling of serialized Python objects within specific Plone modules, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw specifically impacts the statusmessages and linkintegrity modules where untrusted data is processed through the pickle module without adequate validation or sanitization measures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the Python pickle module's deserialization capabilities, which are inherently dangerous when processing untrusted input. The pickle module allows Python objects to be serialized and deserialized, but when deserializing data from untrusted sources, it can execute arbitrary code during the unpickling process. This behavior aligns with CWE-502, which categorizes deserialization of untrusted data as a significant security risk. Attackers can craft malicious pickled objects that, when processed by the vulnerable Plone modules, trigger code execution on the target server.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to gain complete control over affected Plone installations without requiring authentication. Once exploited, attackers can execute arbitrary commands, access sensitive data, modify content, or establish persistent access to the compromised systems. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Plone's session management and link integrity checking mechanisms, which are frequently used components in web applications. This makes the attack surface particularly broad since these modules are likely to be active in most Plone deployments.
The attack vector involves sending specially crafted network data containing malicious pickle objects to the vulnerable Plone modules. The statusmessages module handles user notifications and session state management, while the linkintegrity module manages internal link validation. Both modules receive data that is then unpickled without proper input validation, creating a direct code execution path. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through deserialization attacks. Organizations running affected Plone versions should immediately apply security patches or implement network-level mitigations to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the critical need for input validation and the principle of least privilege when handling serialized data in web applications, particularly in enterprise content management systems where data integrity and system security are paramount.