Two-factor authentication bypass via pre-TOTP session cookie
Published Sep 15, 2026 · Updated Sep 15, 2026
Improper authentication in Kimai before 2.59.0 allows remote authenticated users to access REST API operations without completing TOTP. config/packages/security.yaml accepts IS_AUTHENTICATED on /api, while ApiRequestMatcher routes the pre-TOTP session through the main firewall. A valid account password and enabled TOTP are required; the cookie grants that user's API permissions while browser routes remain blocked.
Summary
What happened
Improper authentication in Kimai before 2.59.0 allows remote authenticated users to access REST API operations without completing TOTP. config/packages/security.yaml accepts IS_AUTHENTICATED on /api, while ApiRequestMatcher routes the pre-TOTP session through the main firewall. A valid account password and enabled TOTP are required; the cookie grants that user's API permissions while browser routes remain blocked.
The record
- CVE
- CVE-2026-52827
- Published
- Sep 15, 2026
- Updated
- Sep 15, 2026
- Vendor
- Kimai
- Product
- Kimai
- Classifications
- CWE-287, T1190
- Attack vector
- network
- Privileges
- authenticated
Timeline
How it unfolded
- Sep 15, 2026CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
- Sep 15, 2026Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.
Exploitability
Present is not the same as exploitable
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Is a vulnerable build present?
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- Affected versionversion=< 2.59.0
What conditions does exploitation require?
What is affected?
Published CVSS scores
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Attacks
What attackers are doing with it
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Public exploit references
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Technologies
Your stack
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Your stack
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