diff --git a/pandora/document/managers/__init__.py b/pandora/document/managers/__init__.py
index 61a4ba9ab..06d7fa718 100644
--- a/pandora/document/managers/__init__.py
+++ b/pandora/document/managers/__init__.py
@@ -298,6 +298,8 @@ class DocumentManager(Manager):
                 q |= Q(groups__in=user.groups.all())
                 rendered_q |= Q(groups__in=user.groups.all())
             qs = qs.filter(q)
+            max_level = len(settings.CONFIG['documentRightsLevels'])
+            qs = qs.filter(rightslevel__lte=max_level)
 
         return qs
 
diff --git a/pandora/document/models.py b/pandora/document/models.py
index 05c4c089d..df5b8cb6a 100644
--- a/pandora/document/models.py
+++ b/pandora/document/models.py
@@ -327,6 +327,9 @@ class Document(models.Model, FulltextMixin):
     def editable(self, user, item=None):
         if not user or user.is_anonymous:
             return False
+        max_level = len(settings.CONFIG['rightsLevels'])
+        if self.level > max_level:
+            return False
         if self.user == user or \
            self.groups.filter(id__in=user.groups.all()).count() > 0 or \
            user.is_staff or \
diff --git a/pandora/item/managers.py b/pandora/item/managers.py
index 654f1dfe3..e0bff833c 100644
--- a/pandora/item/managers.py
+++ b/pandora/item/managers.py
@@ -318,6 +318,8 @@ class ItemManager(Manager):
                 q |= Q(groups__in=user.groups.all())
                 rendered_q |= Q(groups__in=user.groups.all())
             qs = qs.filter(q)
+            max_level = len(settings.CONFIG['rightsLevels'])
+            qs = qs.filter(level__lte=max_level)
         if settings.CONFIG.get('itemRequiresVideo') and level != 'admin':
             qs = qs.filter(rendered_q)
         return qs