CVE-2013-4194 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
The WYSIWYG component (wysiwyg.py) in Plone 2.1 through 4.1, 4.2.x through 4.2.5, and 4.3.x through 4.3.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a crafted URL, which reveals the installation path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4194 affects the WYSIWYG component in Plone content management systems across multiple versions including 2.1 through 4.1, 4.2.x through 4.2.5, and 4.3.x through 4.3.1. This flaw represents a classic information disclosure vulnerability that occurs when the system improperly handles error conditions in its wysiwyg.py module. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to craft specific URLs that trigger error responses containing sensitive installation path information, effectively leaking system internals to unauthorized parties.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the WYSIWYG component's processing logic. When a malformed or specially crafted URL is submitted to the wysiwyg.py module, the system fails to properly sanitize or validate the input before generating error responses. This failure results in the inclusion of absolute file paths in the error messages returned to the attacker, which can include the complete installation directory structure of the Plone application. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access to exploit, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by any remote attacker.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the leaked installation paths can serve as critical reconnaissance data for attackers planning more sophisticated attacks. The exposed file paths may reveal the underlying operating system structure, directory permissions, and potentially sensitive configuration details that could aid in subsequent exploitation attempts. This information disclosure vulnerability aligns with CWE-209, which specifically addresses "Information Exposure Through an Error Message," and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1083 for "File and Directory Discovery" as attackers can use this information to map the system's file structure. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a roadmap of the target system's internal organization.
Organizations running affected Plone versions should prioritize immediate remediation through official patches provided by the Plone community. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of Plone where the error handling in wysiwyg.py has been properly implemented to prevent sensitive path information from being exposed in error responses. Additionally, administrators should implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms at the application level, ensuring that all error messages are sanitized to remove any potentially sensitive system information. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can also provide additional defense-in-depth measures, though the primary solution remains the application-level patching of the vulnerable component.