CVE-2013-4195 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple open redirect vulnerabilities in (1) marmoset_patch.py, (2) publish.py, and (3) principiaredirect.py in Plone 2.1 through 4.1, 4.2.x through 4.2.5, and 4.3.x through 4.3.1 allow remote attackers to redirect users to arbitrary web sites and conduct phishing attacks via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4195 represents a critical open redirect flaw affecting multiple Python-based web applications within the Plone content management system ecosystem. This vulnerability exists across a broad range of Plone versions from 2.1 through 4.1, 4.2.x versions up to 4.2.5, and 4.3.x versions up to 4.3.1, making it particularly dangerous as it affects a significant portion of the Plone user base during that time period. The affected files marmoset_patch.py, publish.py, and principiaredirect.py contain insecure redirect mechanisms that fail to properly validate or sanitize redirect URLs, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of redirect parameters within the Plone application framework, where user-supplied input is directly used to construct redirect URLs without adequate validation or sanitization. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-601 vulnerability category, specifically CWE-601 Open Redirect, which occurs when an application redirects users to external websites without proper verification of the target URL. The flaw allows attackers to craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate but redirect users to phishing sites or malicious domains, leveraging the trust users place in the original Plone application. The unspecified vectors mentioned in the description indicate that the vulnerability can be triggered through various entry points within the application's redirect functionality, making it particularly challenging to secure against all potential attack paths.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it enables sophisticated phishing attacks that can compromise user credentials and sensitive information. Attackers can exploit these open redirects to create convincing fake login pages or malicious sites that appear to be legitimate parts of the Plone application, leading to credential theft, data breaches, and potential system compromise. The vulnerability also undermines user trust in the application and can result in significant reputational damage for organizations using affected Plone versions. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 Phishing, where the open redirect serves as a delivery mechanism for malicious payloads. The widespread nature of the vulnerability across multiple Plone versions means that organizations could face extended exposure periods, as users might not immediately update to patched versions, and the attack surface remains broad.
Organizations affected by CVE-2013-4195 should implement immediate mitigations including thorough code review and patching of the affected Python files, implementation of strict URL validation mechanisms, and deployment of web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious redirect attempts. The recommended approach involves sanitizing all redirect parameters by validating URLs against a whitelist of approved domains or implementing proper URL parsing to ensure that redirect targets are within the expected application scope. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other potential redirect mechanisms within the application that might be susceptible to similar flaws. Additionally, user education and awareness programs should be implemented to help users recognize potential phishing attempts, while network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual redirect patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched applications to ensure that legitimate redirect functionality remains operational while eliminating the security risk.