Incorrect authorization in discourse
Priority LOW 23CWE-863Published · Updated
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · Low · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-863.
Summary
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. A privilege escalation vulnerability in versions prior to 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, and 2026.1.0 allows a non-admin moderator to bypass email-change restrictions, allowing a takeover of non-staff accounts. This issue is patched in versions 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, and 2026.1.0. As a workaround, ensure moderators are trusted or enable the "require_change_email_confirmation" setting.
Why it matters now
Exploitation None reported CISA SSVC · not in CISA KEV
EPSS 0.00193 9th percentileScored 2026-11-07
Fix Fixed discourse (discourse): 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1 +1
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discourse | discourse | before 3.5.4; 2025.11.0-latest to before 2025.11.2; 2025.12.0-latest to before 2025.12.1; 2026.1.0-latest to before 2026.1.0 | 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, 2026.1.0 | Patch available | CNA |
- discourse Vendordiscourse Affected before 3.5.4; 2025.11.0-latest to before 2025.11.2; 2025.12.0-latest to before 2025.12.1; 2026.1.0-latest to before 2026.1.0 Fixed in 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, 2026.1.0 Patch available CNA
CPE configurations NVD · 3
| CPE | Versions | Role | Vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:*:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* | before 3.5.4; 2025.11.0 to before 2025.11.2 | Vulnerable | discourse |
| cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:2025.12.0:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* | 2025.12.0 | Vulnerable | discourse |
| cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:2026.1.0:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* | 2026.1.0 | Vulnerable | discourse |
- cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:*:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* Versions before 3.5.4; 2025.11.0 to before 2025.11.2 Vulnerable ·discourse
- cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:2025.12.0:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* Versions 2025.12.0 Vulnerable ·discourse
- cpe:2.3:a:discourse:discourse:2026.1.0:*:*:*:stable:*:*:* Versions 2026.1.0 Vulnerable ·discourse
Remediation
- Fix · CNA discourse (discourse) Fixed in 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, 2026.1.0
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2025-69289
References
More Discourse vulnerabilities
- TI-2021-19656 Denial of Service in discourse CVSS 3.1MEDIUM 6.8
- TI-2024-36150 Potential Backup file leaked via Nginx in Discourse CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
- TI-2021-18002 RCE via malicious SNS subscription payload CVSS 3.1CRITICAL 10.0
- TI-2026-24651 Discourse: Open redirect via `sso_destination_url` cookie in `enter` CVSS 4.0MEDIUM 5.1
- TI-2026-22278 Discourse leaks private topic title and post excerpt via user action API endpoint CVSS 4.0HIGH 8.7
- TI-2023-24152 Unauthenticated access to new private chat messages in Discourse CVSS 3.1HIGH 7.5
Sources
This product uses the NVD API but is not endorsed or certified by the NVD. Sources and licences