CVE-2023-41050: AccessControl provides a general security framework for use in Zope

Routine

MEDIUM 6.8UPGRADEUPGRADE

CVE-2023-41050 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 6.8) affecting accesscontrol, zope. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

AccessControl provides a general security framework for use in Zope. Python's "format" functionality allows someone controlling the format string to "read" objects accessible (recursively) via attribute access and subscription from accessible objects. Those attribute accesses and subscriptions use Python's full blown `getattr` and `getitem`, not the policy restricted `AccessControl` variants `_getattr_` and `_getitem_`. This can lead to critical

Why this priority

No elevated risk signals yet

A fixed release or distro patch exists.

Risk facts

CVSS score	6.8 (Medium)
Attack vector	Network (remote)
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	High
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.6% (top 49%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-200
Published	2023-09-06
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): GitHub, Inc. · Vendor: zope

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-09-06 18:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 06:20 UTCUpdated Record last modified

zope accesscontrol UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.4 · >= 5.0 and < 5.8 · >= 6.0 and < 6.2

Fixed in: 4.4, 5.8, 6.2

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy accesscontrol || rpm -q accesscontrol || accesscontrol --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.4 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade accesscontrol

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade accesscontrol

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison accesscontrol sudo apt install accesscontrol=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo apt-mark hold accesscontrol

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list accesscontrol sudo dnf downgrade accesscontrol-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add accesscontrol

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

zope zope UPGRADE

Affected: < 4.8.9 · >= 5.0 and < 5.8.4

Fixed in: 4.8.9, 5.8.4

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 5.0

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy zope || rpm -q zope || zope --version

2. UPGRADE to 4.8.9 (Debian / Ubuntu)

sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade zope

2. UPGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

sudo dnf upgrade zope

Note

Distros often backport fixes without changing the version number. Confirm with the distro advisory or changelog.

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE to a release before 5.0 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison zope sudo apt install zope=<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo apt-mark hold zope

3. If no update is available yet, DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list zope sudo dnf downgrade zope-<VERSION_BEFORE_5.0> sudo dnf versionlock add zope

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2023-41050?

accesscontrol: upgrade to 4.4, 5.8, 6.2; zope: upgrade to 4.8.9, 5.8.4. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2023-41050 being exploited?

CVE-2023-41050 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2023-41050 affect?

CVE-2023-41050 affects accesscontrol, zope. Severity is medium (CVSS 6.8). AccessControl provides a general security framework for use in Zope. Python's "format" functionality allows someone controlling the format string to "read" objects accessible (recursively) via attribute access and subscription from accessib

How urgent is CVE-2023-41050?

Priority 36/100. No elevated risk signals yet.

Software pages

Python vulnerabilities

References

← Back to latest CVEs