QID 981408

QID 981408: Python (pip) Security Update for AccessControl (GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf)

Security update has been released for AccessControl to fix the vulnerability.

Note: The preceding description block is extracted directly from the security advisory. Using automation, we have attempted to clean and format it as much as possible without introducing additional issues.

The module `AccessControl` defines security policies for Python code used in restricted code within Zope applications. Restricted code is any code that resides in Zope's object database, such as the contents of `Script (Python)` objects.

The policies defined in `AccessControl` severely restrict access to Python modules and only exempt a few that are deemed safe, such as Python's `string` module. However, full access to the `string` module also allows access to the class `Formatter`, which can be overridden and extended within `Script (Python)` in a way that provides access to other unsafe Python libraries. Those unsafe Python libraries can be used for remote code execution.

By default, you need to have the admin-level Zope "Manager" role to add or edit `Script (Python)` objects through the web. Only sites that allow untrusted users to add/edit these scripts through the web - which would be a very unusual configuration to begin with - are at risk.

  • CVSS V3 rated as High - 7.2 severity.
  • CVSS V2 rated as High - 6.5 severity.
    • Solution
    The problem has been fixed in AccessControl 4.3 and 5.2.
    Only AccessControl versions 4 and 5 are vulnerable, and only on Python 3, not Python 2.7.Workaround:
    A site administrator can restrict adding/editing `Script (Python)` objects through the web using the standard Zope user/role permission mechanisms. Untrusted users should not be assigned the Zope Manager role and adding/editing these scripts through the web should be restricted to trusted users only. This is the default configuration in Zope.
    Vendor References

    CVEs related to QID 981408

    CVE-2021-32807 |
    Software Advisories
    Advisory ID Software Component Link
    GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf AccessControl URL Logo github.com/advisories/GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf
    By selecting these links, you may be leaving CVEreport webspace. We have provided these links to other websites because they may have information that would be of interest to you. No inferences should be drawn on account of other sites being referenced, or not, from this page. There may be other websites that are more appropriate for your purpose. CVEreport does not necessarily endorse the views expressed, or concur with the facts presented on these sites. Further, CVEreport does not endorse any commercial products that may be mentioned on these sites. Please address comments about any linked pages to [email protected].