Web 2.0: Pottymouth 1.0 Sanitizes User Input
Version 1.0 of Pottymouth, a Python module for HTML processsing has just been released. The tool helps sanitize user input from websites.
The mathematician and linguist Matt Chisholm designed the tool for any scenario in which untrained or untrusted users are allowed to enter HTML code or text: blogs, forums, web mailers, Web 2.0 applications and the like. Pottymouth sanitizes anything that could endanger the layout or security of a web application.
For example, the Python module prevents users from injecting Javascript via Iframe or script tags, event handler attributes or "javascript:" links, thus preventing scripting and cross site scripting attacks on websites and their users. Pottymouth attempts to protect the site layout by removing style tags, CSS input, and attributes such as "height" and "width". At the same time, it converts markups indicated in plain text ("*bold*") or lists into correct HTML and adds an HTTP prefix to "www" links
A source code archive, Debian and RPM packages of version 1.0 are available under the BSD license from the Pottymouth homepage, as is an online demonstration for potential users to test.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.

News
-
Linux Kernel 6.17 is Available
Linus Torvalds has announced that the latest kernel has been released with plenty of core improvements and even more hardware support.
-
Kali Linux 2025.3 Released with New Hacking Tools
If you're a Kali Linux fan, you'll be glad to know that the third release of this famous pen-testing distribution is now available with updates for key components.
-
Zorin OS 18 Beta Available for Testing
The latest release from the team behind Zorin OS is ready for public testing, and it includes plenty of improvements to make it more powerful, user-friendly, and productive.
-
Fedora Linux 43 Beta Now Available for Testing
Fedora Linux 43 Beta ships with Gnome 49 and KDE Plasma 6.4 (and other goodies).
-
USB4 Maintainer Leaves Intel
Michael Jamet, one of the primary maintainers of USB4 and Thunderbolt drivers, has left Intel, leaving a gaping hole for the Linux community to deal with.
-
Budgie 10.9.3 Now Available
The latest version of this elegant and configurable Linux desktop aligns with changes in Gnome 49.
-
KDE Linux Alpha Available for Daring Users
It's official, KDE Linux has arrived, but it's not quite ready for prime time.
-
AMD Initiates Graphics Driver Updates for Linux Kernel 6.18
This new AMD update focuses on power management, display handling, and hardware support for Radeon GPUs.
-
AerynOS Alpha Release Available
With a choice of several desktop environments, AerynOS 2025.08 is almost ready to be your next operating system.
-
AUR Repository Still Under DDoS Attack
Arch User Repository continues to be under a DDoS attack that has been going on for more than two weeks.