CVE-2018-9856: CSRF Vulnerability in Kotti
Summary
CVE-2018-9856: Kotti before 1.3.2 and 2.x before 2.0.0b2 has CSRF in the local roles implementation, as demonstrated by triggering a permission change via a /admin-document/@@share request. Affects kotti versions < 1.3.2. Fixed in 1.3.2. How to fix ↓
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Background
Kotti is an open-source Python web application framework that provides a content management system (CMS) for building websites. It allows users to create and manage web pages, documents, and other content. Kotti is vulnerable to a Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) attack in its local roles implementation.
Vulnerability Detail
The CSRF vulnerability in Kotti allows an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of an authenticated user. By triggering a permission change through a specially crafted request, an attacker can modify the permissions of a user and gain unauthorized access to sensitive functionality or data. This vulnerability can lead to various security risks, including privilege escalation, data leakage, and unauthorized modification of content.
How To Fix
Latest published version: 2.0.9 as of 22 Oct 2026
pip install --upgrade "kotti==2.0.9"Upgrading to it may include breaking changes; the version below is the minimum fixed release for this vulnerability.
If you need the minimum change
1.3.2
This is the first release that contains the fix.
pip install --upgrade "kotti==1.3.2"Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If upgrading to the patched versions is not immediately possible, a temporary workaround is to disable or restrict access to the vulnerable functionality. This can be achieved by modifying the application's configuration or by implementing additional security measures, such as CSRF tokens or strict referer checking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CSRF vulnerability in Kotti can have serious security implications and it is crucial to take immediate action to mitigate the risk. Upgrading to the patched versions or implementing workarounds can help protect the application from potential attacks. For further support on vulnerability remediation, you can contact DevNack.com.
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FAQ
Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) is a type of security vulnerability that allows an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of an authenticated user.
The CSRF vulnerability in Kotti can lead to unauthorized access, privilege escalation, data leakage, and unauthorized modification of content.
The recommended solution is to upgrade to Kotti version 1.3.2 or later for Kotti 1.x, and version 2.0.0b2 or later for Kotti 2.x.
Yes, a temporary workaround is to disable or restrict access to the vulnerable functionality or implement additional security measures like CSRF tokens or strict referer checking.
You can find more information about the CSRF vulnerability in Kotti in the official advisory database: https://github.com/pypa/advisory-database/blob/main/vulns/kotti/PYSEC-2018-10.yaml
References
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