CVE-2012-5508: Plone - PRNG State Leakage in Error Pages
Summary
CVE-2012-5508: The error pages in Plone before 4.2.3 and 4.3 before beta 1 allow remote attackers to obtain random numbers and derive the PRNG state for password resets via unspecified vectors. 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 robust and secure web applications.
Vulnerability Detail
The error pages in Plone versions before 4.2.3 and 4.3 before beta 1 suffer from a vulnerability that allows remote attackers to obtain random numbers and derive the PRNG (Pseudorandom Number Generator) state for password resets. This vulnerability can be exploited by attackers to predict or manipulate the random numbers used in password reset operations, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts. The exact vectors through which this leakage occurs are unspecified.
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 has been provided for this vulnerability. It is advised to follow the recommended fix by upgrading to the patched versions of Plone.
Conclusion
The error pages in Plone versions before 4.2.3 and 4.3 before beta 1 contain a vulnerability that allows leakage of the PRNG state, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts. To mitigate this vulnerability, it is crucial to upgrade to the recommended patched versions of Plone. For further support and assistance in vulnerability remediation, you can reach out to DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Plone is an open-source content management system used for building websites and web applications.
The vulnerability allows remote attackers to obtain random numbers and derive the PRNG state for password resets, potentially leading to unauthorized access to user accounts.
To fix this vulnerability, upgrade to Plone version 4.2.3 or later if using a version prior to 4.2.3. For versions 4.3a0 and earlier, upgrade to version 4.3b1 or later.
No specific workarounds have been provided for this vulnerability. It is recommended to upgrade to the patched versions of Plone.
For more information about this vulnerability, you can refer to the official Plone advisory: [link to advisory].
References
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