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CVE-2021-32807

Remote Code Execution via unsafe classes in otherwise permitted modules

4.4 MediumFix available

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. 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. As a 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.

Attack profile

How easy it is to exploit

Attack vector
Network
Complexity
High
Privileges needed
High
User interaction
None

What an attacker can affect

Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None

Exploit likelihood

2.11%Up 0.2 points since Jul 31, 2021
90%50%10%1%

What each source reports

CVE List Score used 4.4

Remote Code Execution via unsafe classes in otherwise permitted modules

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
CVE-2021-32807
CVSS 3.1
4.4 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-915
Updated
2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2021-0001 4.4

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
EUVD-2021-0001
CVSS 3.1
4.4 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Updated
2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf 5.9

Remote Code Execution via unsafe classes in otherwise permitted modules

Impact

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.

Patches

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.

Workarounds

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.

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Record
GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf
CVSS 4.0
5.9 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CVSS 3.1
4.4 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-915, CWE-1321
Updated
2026-11-02
NVD 4.4

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
CVE-2021-32807
CVSS 3.1
4.4 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
CVSS 3.1
7.2 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
CVSS 2.0
6.5 MediumAV:N/AC:L/Au:S/C:P/I:P/A:P
Weakness
CWE-915, CWE-1321
Updated
2026-11-02
OSV 7.2

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
CVE-2021-32807
CVSS 3.1
7.2 HighCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVGHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf 5.9

Remote Code Execution via unsafe classes in otherwise permitted modules

Impact

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.

Patches

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.

Workarounds

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.

For more information

If you have any questions or comments about this advisory:

Record
GHSA-qcx9-j53g-ccgf
CVSS 4.0
5.9 MediumCVSS:4.0/AV:N/AC:L/AT:P/PR:H/UI:N/VC:N/VI:H/VA:N/SC:N/SI:N/SA:N
CVSS 3.1
4.4 MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Weakness
CWE-1321, CWE-915
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2021-335 No score

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
PYSEC-2021-335
Updated
2026-11-02
OSVPYSEC-2021-875 No score

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. 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. As a 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.

Record
PYSEC-2021-875
Updated
2026-11-02

Affected products

Affected packages

Affected packages
PackageAffectedFixed
accesscontrol
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3
4.3
accesscontrol
PyPI
5.0 up to 5.2
5.2
zope
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3
4.3
zope
PyPI
5.0 up to 5.2
5.2
accesscontrol
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3, plus listed versions
4.14.2
4.3
accesscontrol
PyPI
5.0 up to 5.2, plus listed versions
5.1
5.2
zope
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3, plus listed versions
4.14.1.14.1.24.1.34.24.2.1
4.3
zope
PyPI
5.0 up to 5.2, plus listed versions
5.15.1.15.1.2
5.2
accesscontrol
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3, 5.0 up to 5.2, plus listed versions
4.14.25.1
4.35.2
zope
PyPI
4.0 up to 4.3, 5.0 up to 5.2, plus listed versions
4.14.1.14.1.24.1.34.2
Show 23 moreShow less
4.2.15.15.1.15.1.24.0b74.0b64.0b54.0b44.0b34.0b24.0b14.0a74.0a64.0a53.0.124.0a34.0a24.0a13.0.113.0.103.0.93.0.83.0.7
4.35.2

History

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

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

In short

CVE-2021-32807 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.4) in Zope Accesscontrol, published July 30, 2021. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 2.11%, the 81st percentile. Fixed in accesscontrol 4.3.

References

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