CVE-2016-4041: Plone WebDAV Access Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2016-4041: Plone 4.0 through 5.1a1 does not have security declarations for Dexterity content-related WebDAV requests, which allows remote attackers to gain webdav access via unspecified vectors. Affects plone versions >= 4.0, < 5.1a2. Fixed in 5.1a2. 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, editing, and publishing. Plone versions 4.0 through 5.1a1 are affected by a security vulnerability related to Dexterity content-related WebDAV requests. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized WebDAV access to the system.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability in Plone arises from the absence of security declarations for Dexterity content-related WebDAV requests. This oversight enables attackers to exploit unspecified vectors and gain unauthorized access to the system via WebDAV. The exact method of exploitation is not disclosed in the available information. However, the impact of this vulnerability can be significant, as it allows attackers to potentially manipulate or extract sensitive data from the affected 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 version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
5.1a2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "plone==5.1a2"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
No specific workaround is mentioned in the available information. However, as a general practice, it is advisable to restrict access to the Plone instance by implementing proper authentication mechanisms, firewall rules, and access controls. Additionally, monitoring and logging WebDAV requests can help detect any suspicious activity and mitigate the risk of unauthorized access.
Conclusion
The Plone WebDAV Access Vulnerability (CVE-2016-4041) affects Plone versions 4.0 through 5.1a1. It allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to the system via WebDAV. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to Plone version 5.1a2 or later, which includes the necessary security declarations. Implementing proper access controls and monitoring WebDAV requests can also enhance the security of the Plone instance. For further assistance and support in vulnerability remediation, please contact DevNack.com.
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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, editing, and publishing.
Plone versions 4.0 through 5.1a1 are affected by this vulnerability.
The exact method of exploitation is not disclosed in the available information. However, attackers can gain unauthorized WebDAV access to the system by exploiting unspecified vectors.
This vulnerability allows attackers to gain unauthorized access to the Plone instance via WebDAV. They may be able to manipulate or extract sensitive data from the system.
To fix this vulnerability, it is recommended to upgrade to Plone version 5.1a2 or later. This version includes the necessary security declarations for Dexterity content-related WebDAV requests.
References
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