CVE-2012-5493 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
gtbn.py in Plone before 4.2.3 and 4.3 before beta 1 allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to bypass the Python sandbox and execute arbitrary Python code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5493 represents a critical sandbox escape flaw within the Plone content management system that affects versions prior to 4.2.3 and 4.3 beta 1. This issue specifically targets the gtbn.py script which operates within Plone's security framework, creating a pathway for authenticated attackers to circumvent the intended Python sandbox protections that are designed to isolate potentially dangerous code execution within the CMS environment. The vulnerability's significance lies in its ability to allow remote authenticated users with specific permissions to execute arbitrary Python code, effectively undermining the security model that Plone employs to protect against malicious code injection attacks.
The technical flaw manifests through unspecified vectors within the gtbn.py module that fail to properly validate or restrict the execution context of Python code. This sandbox bypass occurs when authenticated users with certain elevated permissions attempt to interact with the vulnerable script, enabling them to escalate their privileges and execute code outside the intended security boundaries. The vulnerability's nature suggests a design flaw in the permission model or code execution validation mechanisms within Plone's security architecture, where the system fails to properly enforce the boundaries between user-accessible functionality and restricted code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows attackers to execute arbitrary Python code on the affected Plone servers, potentially leading to complete system compromise. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data, modify content, install backdoors, or even use the compromised system as a launch point for further attacks within the network. The remote execution capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the server, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on Plone for critical content management operations. The vulnerability affects the core security model of the platform, potentially allowing attackers to bypass other security controls that depend on the integrity of the Python sandbox.
Organizations should immediately implement the available patches and updates provided by Plone for versions 4.2.3 and 4.3 beta 1 to address this vulnerability. Additionally, administrators should review and restrict user permissions to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that only trusted users have access to functionality that might trigger the vulnerable code paths. The mitigation strategy should include monitoring for suspicious activity and implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-250 (Execute Code with Unnecessary Privileges) and represents a classic sandbox escape scenario that demonstrates the importance of proper privilege separation and code execution validation in web applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique where attackers leverage application-level vulnerabilities to gain elevated system access through the exploitation of sandbox bypass mechanisms.