CVE-2012-5493: Plone Remote Code Execution
Summary
CVE-2012-5493: Plone Sandbox Bypass. Affects plone across 2 version ranges.
< 4.2.3
>= 4.3a0, < 4.3b1
Fixed in 4.2.3 or 4.3b1, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
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Background
Plone is an open-source content management system built on top of the Zope application server. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing websites and supports various features such as content creation, collaboration, and workflow management. Plone is widely used in both small and large organizations for building secure and scalable web applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability (CVE-2012-5493) affects Plone versions before 4.2.3 and 4.3 beta 1. It allows remote authenticated users with certain permissions to bypass the Python sandbox and execute arbitrary Python code. The specific vectors through which this can be exploited are not disclosed in the vulnerability details. However, it is important to note that this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the Plone instance.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 6.2.2 as of 23 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "plone==6.2.2"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the versions below are the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you can't move to the latest
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
< 4.2.34.2.3pip install --upgrade "plone==4.2.3" -
>= 4.3a0, < 4.3b14.3b1pip install --upgrade "plone==4.3b1"
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
No specific workaround is mentioned in the vulnerability details. However, as a general best practice, it is recommended to follow the fix provided above and upgrade to the latest secure version of Plone.
Conclusion
The vulnerability (CVE-2012-5493) in Plone allows remote authenticated users to execute arbitrary Python code by bypassing the Python sandbox. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to Plone version 4.2.3 or later. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
See every vulnerability recorded for plone →
FAQ
Plone is an open-source content management system built on top of the Zope application server. It provides a user-friendly interface for managing websites and supports various features such as content creation, collaboration, and workflow management.
Plone versions before 4.2.3 and 4.3 beta 1 are affected by this vulnerability.
Remote authenticated users with certain permissions can exploit this vulnerability to bypass the Python sandbox and execute arbitrary Python code. The specific vectors through which this can be exploited are not disclosed in the vulnerability details.
This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized code execution, potentially compromising the integrity and security of the Plone instance.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to Plone version 4.2.3 or later if using a version prior to 4.3 beta 1. This involves patching the codebase to address the security flaw and prevent the bypass of the Python sandbox.
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