Mastodon Server-Side Request Forgery vulnerability
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Impact type
- Information disclosure
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- High · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 3.1 · NVD. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-918 and the CVSS impact.
Summary
Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Starting in version 4.2.0-beta1 and prior to version 4.2.0-rc2, by crafting specific input, attackers can inject arbitrary data into HTTP requests issued by Mastodon. This can be used to perform confused deputy attacks if the server configuration includes `ALLOWED_PRIVATE_ADDRESSES` to allow access to local exploitable services. Version 4.2.0-rc2 has a patch for the issue.
Why it matters now
SSVC decision points
CISA ADP · SSVC 2.0.3
- Exploitation
- None
- Automatable
- No
- Technical impact
- Partial
The decision (Track, Attend, Act) also depends on your mission and well-being impact; see CISA's SSVC guide.
Affected products
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| mastodon | mastodon | 4.2.0-beta1 to before 4.2.0-rc2 | 4.2.0-rc2 | Patch available | CNA |
- mastodon Vendormastodon Affected 4.2.0-beta1 to before 4.2.0-rc2 Fixed in 4.2.0-rc2 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 4
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.2.0 beta1 | Vulnerable | mastodon |
| cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.2.0 beta2 | Vulnerable | mastodon |
| cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta3:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.2.0 beta3 | Vulnerable | mastodon |
| cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* | 4.2.0 rc1 | Vulnerable | mastodon |
- cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.2.0 beta1 Vulnerable ·mastodon
- cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta2:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.2.0 beta2 Vulnerable ·mastodon
- cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:beta3:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.2.0 beta3 Vulnerable ·mastodon
- cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:4.2.0:rc1:*:*:*:*:*:* Versions 4.2.0 rc1 Vulnerable ·mastodon
Remediation
- Fix · CNA mastodon (mastodon) Fixed in 4.2.0-rc2
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2023-42450
References
More Mastodon vulnerabilities
- TI-2022-02004 Improper Restriction of Excessive Authentication Attempts in mastodon/mastodon CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 9.8
- TI-2025-34613 Mastodon e‑mail throttle misconfiguration allows unlimited email confirmations against unconfirmed emails CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2022-22936 Mastodon through 4.0.2 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (large Sidekiq pull… CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2023-18301 Mastodon vulnerable to arbitrary file creation through media attachments CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2023-13359 Mastodon's blind LDAP injection in login allows the attacker to leak arbitrary attributes from LDAP database CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.7
- TI-2024-16846 External OpenID Connect Account Takeover by E-Mail Change in mastodon CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.4
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences