CVE-2026-69098 kotaemon 0.12.0 Unauthenticated Remote Code Execution via Insecure Deserialization
Unauthenticated attackers can achieve remote code execution in kotaemon by sending crafted YAML/JSON payloads to the check_connection endpoint.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Not needed
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- None listed
What is CVE-2026-69098?
CVE-2026-69098 is a critical unsafe deserialization vulnerability in Cinnamon kotaemon, published on 4 Aug 2026. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Official description
kotaemon through 0.12.0 contains an insecure deserialization vulnerability in the check_connection endpoint that allows unauthenticated attackers to instantiate arbitrary Python classes by supplying crafted YAML/JSON input with a __type__ field. Attackers can exploit this to override the __type__ field with subprocess.check_output and arbitrary arguments, achieving remote code execution with application process privileges.
Weakness: CWE-502
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-69098?
How do I fix CVE-2026-69098?
No fix has been published for CVE-2026-69098 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.
Upgrade, and only deserialise data from trusted sources or with an allow-list of types. More about Unsafe deserialization.
Is CVE-2026-69098 being exploited?
It is not confirmed as exploited in the wild, but public exploit code for CVE-2026-69098 exists.
Public exploit code: 1 proofs of concept on GitHub.
Sources
Also known as GHSA-5cg2-9v3x-66cv.