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CVE-2023-37271

RestrictedPython vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via stack frame sandbox escape

8.4 HighFix available

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges needed
Low
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
High
Integrity
High
Availability
Low

Exploit likelihood

0.85%Up 0.8 points since Jul 12, 2023
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 8.4

RestrictedPython vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via stack frame sandbox escape

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
CVE-2023-37271
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Weakness
CWE-913
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-0228 8.4

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
EUVD-2023-0228
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-wqc8-x2pr-7jqh 8.4

RestrictedPython vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via stack frame sandbox escape

Impact

RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. An attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted scope allowing the call of unrestricted Python code and therefore potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter.

All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare.

Patches

The problem has been fixed in releases 5.3 and 6.1.

Workarounds

There is no workaround available. If you cannot upgrade to the latest release you should ensure the RestrictedPython environment is only available for trusted users.

References

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Credits

Thanks for analysing and reporting the go to:

  • Nakul Choudhary (Quasar0147 on GitHub)
  • despawningbone on GitHub
  • Robert Xiao (nneonneo on GitHub)
Record
GHSA-wqc8-x2pr-7jqh
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Weakness
CWE-913
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 8.4

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
CVE-2023-37271
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
CVSS 3.1
9.9 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Weakness
CWE-913
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 8.4

RestrictedPython vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via stack frame sandbox escape

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
CVE-2023-37271
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Weakness
CWE-913
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2023-37271 9.9

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2023-37271
CVSS 3.1
9.9 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
Show 4 moreShow less
OSVGHSA-wqc8-x2pr-7jqh 8.4

RestrictedPython vulnerable to arbitrary code execution via stack frame sandbox escape

Impact

RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. An attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted scope allowing the call of unrestricted Python code and therefore potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter.

All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare.

Patches

The problem has been fixed in releases 5.3 and 6.1.

Workarounds

There is no workaround available. If you cannot upgrade to the latest release you should ensure the RestrictedPython environment is only available for trusted users.

References

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Credits

Thanks for analysing and reporting the go to:

  • Nakul Choudhary (Quasar0147 on GitHub)
  • despawningbone on GitHub
  • Robert Xiao (nneonneo on GitHub)
Record
GHSA-wqc8-x2pr-7jqh
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
Weakness
CWE-913
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2023-37271 8.4

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2023-37271
CVSS 3.1
8.4 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:L
CVSS 3.1
9.9 CriticalCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2023-118 No score

RestrictedPython is a tool that helps to define a subset of the Python language which allows users to provide a program input into a trusted environment. RestrictedPython does not check access to stack frames and their attributes. Stack frames are accessible within at least generators and generator expressions, which are allowed inside RestrictedPython. Prior to versions 6.1 and 5.3, an attacker with access to a RestrictedPython environment can write code that gets the current stack frame in a generator and then walk the stack all the way beyond the RestrictedPython invocation boundary, thus breaking out of the restricted sandbox and potentially allowing arbitrary code execution in the Python interpreter. All RestrictedPython deployments that allow untrusted users to write Python code in the RestrictedPython environment are at risk. In terms of Zope and Plone, this would mean deployments where the administrator allows untrusted users to create and/or edit objects of type Script (Python), DTML Method, DTML Document or Zope Page Template. This is a non-default configuration and likely to be extremely rare. The problem has been fixed in versions 6.1 and 5.3.

Record
PYSEC-2023-118
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVUSN-7355-1 No score

restrictedpython vulnerabilities

Nakul Choudhary and Robert Xiao discovered that RestrictedPython did not properly sanitize certain inputs. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code. This issue only affected Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. (CVE-2023-37271)

Abhishek Govindarasu, Ankush Menat and Ward Theunisse discovered that RestrictedPython did not correctly handle certain format strings. An attacker could possibly use this issue to leak sensitive information. This issue only affected Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. (CVE-2023-41039)

It was discovered that RestrictedPython did not correctly restrict access to certain fields. An attacker could possibly use this issue to leak sensitive information. (CVE-2024-47532)

It was discovered that RestrictedPython contained a type confusion vulnerability. An attacker could possibly use this issue to execute arbitrary code. This issue only affected Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and Ubuntu 24.10. (CVE-2025-22153)

Record
USN-7355-1
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
restrictedpython
PyPI
before 5.3
5.3
restrictedpython
PyPI
6.0a1.dev0 up to 6.1
6.1
restrictedpython
Debian:12
All versions, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-36.2-18.0-18.1-18.4-1
None known
restrictedpython
Debian:13
before 6.2-1
6.2-1
restrictedpython
Debian:14
before 6.2-1
6.2-1
restrictedpython
PyPI
before 5.3, plus listed versions
3.4.23.4.33.5.03.5.13.5.2
Show 19 moreShow less
3.6.03.6.0a14.04.0a14.0a24.0a34.0b14.0b24.0b34.0b44.0b54.0b64.0b74.0b85.05.15.25.2a1.dev05.3a1.dev0
5.3
restrictedpython
PyPI
6.0a1.dev0 up to 6.1, plus listed versions
6.0
6.1
restrictedpython
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS
before 4.0~b3-2ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-2
4.0~b3-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
restrictedpython
Ubuntu:Pro:22.04:LTS
before 4.0~b3-3ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-24.0~b3-2ubuntu14.0~b3-3
4.0~b3-3ubuntu0.1~esm1
restrictedpython
Ubuntu:Pro:20.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 4.0~b3-2ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-2
4.0~b3-2ubuntu0.1~esm1
restrictedpython
Ubuntu:Pro:22.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 4.0~b3-3ubuntu0.1~esm1, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-24.0~b3-2ubuntu14.0~b3-3
4.0~b3-3ubuntu0.1~esm1
restrictedpython
Ubuntu:Pro:24.04:LTS
From an advisory covering 4 CVEs
before 6.2-1ubuntu0.24.04.1~esm1, plus listed versions
4.0~b3-36.2-1
6.2-1ubuntu0.24.04.1~esm1

History

History
RecordedChangedSources
affected, facts
aliasesEUVD
first indexedCVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV

Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.

In short

CVE-2023-37271 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 8.4) in Zope Restrictedpython, published July 10, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.85%, the 58th percentile. Fixed in restrictedpython 5.3.

References

Show 8 moreShow less
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