CVE-2013-4198 in Plone
Summary
by MITRE
mail_password.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 authenticated users to bypass the prohibition on password changes via the forgotten password email functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability described in CVE-2013-4198 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Plone content management system that affects versions ranging from 2.1 through 4.1, 4.2.x through 4.2.5, and 4.3.x through 4.3.1. This issue specifically targets the mail_password.py script which handles forgotten password functionality, creating a pathway for malicious actors to circumvent intended security controls. The vulnerability operates within the context of authenticated user sessions where attackers can exploit improper input validation and access control mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to password reset features. This weakness directly violates fundamental security principles by allowing unauthorized modification of user credentials through legitimate recovery channels.
The technical implementation flaw stems from inadequate validation of user sessions and authentication tokens within the forgotten password workflow. When users request password resets through the mail_password.py script, the system fails to properly verify that the requesting user has legitimate authorization to perform such actions. This oversight creates a condition where authenticated users can manipulate the password recovery process to bypass the intended restrictions, potentially allowing them to change passwords for accounts they do not own or should not have access to. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input sanitization and session management practices that enable attackers to exploit the recovery mechanism as a backdoor for privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple authentication bypass, creating significant risks for organizations relying on Plone systems for content management and user account administration. Attackers could leverage this flaw to compromise user accounts, gain unauthorized access to sensitive content, and potentially escalate privileges within the system. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the authentication system by undermining the trust model that should exist between legitimate users and the password recovery process. Organizations may face data breaches, unauthorized content modifications, and potential compliance violations when this vulnerability remains unpatched, particularly in environments where Plone serves as a primary content management platform for critical business information.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected Plone versions to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators must ensure that all Plone installations are updated to versions that address the authentication bypass flaw in mail_password.py. Additional defensive measures include implementing robust session management controls, strengthening input validation for password recovery requests, and monitoring authentication logs for suspicious activity patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication mechanisms as an additional layer of protection, along with regular security audits of authentication components to identify similar vulnerabilities. This issue aligns with CWE-284 access control weaknesses and represents a significant concern for attackers following ATT&CK technique T1078 credential access patterns, particularly those targeting authentication bypass methods.