Discourse has inferable private group membership or existence via exclude_groups parameter
Key facts
- Attack vector
- Network
- Privileges required
- None
- User interaction
- None
- Attack complexity
- Low
- Attack requirements
- None
- Impact type
- Information disclosure, Security bypass
- Confidentiality · integrity · availability
- Low · None · None
- Fix status
- Fixed
Attack profile from CVSS 4.0 · CNA. Fix status from CNA. Impact type from CWE-203 and CWE-639.
Summary
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2026.3.0-latest.1, 2026.2.1, and 2026.1.2, unauthenticated users can determine whether a specific user is a member of a private group by observing changes in directory results when using the `exclude_groups` parameter. Versions 2026.3.0-latest.1, 2026.2.1, and 2026.1.2 contain a patch. As a workaround, disable public access to the user directory via Admin → Settings → hide user profiles from public.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| discourse | discourse | 2026.1.0-latest to before 2026.1.2; 2026.2.0-latest to before 2026.2.1; = 2026.3.0-latest | 2026.1.2, 2026.2.1 | Patch available | CNA |
- discourse Vendordiscourse Affected 2026.1.0-latest to before 2026.1.2; 2026.2.0-latest to before 2026.2.1; = 2026.3.0-latest Fixed in 2026.1.2, 2026.2.1 Patch available CNA
Remediation
- Fix · CNA discourse (discourse) Fixed in 2026.1.2, 2026.2.1
Timeline
- 2026-10-02 Threatist record created from CVE-2026-33425
- 2026-10-14 EPSS moved to the 50th–90th percentile
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