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Discourse CVE-2026-26078

HIGH
Authorization Bypass Through User-Controlled Key (CWE-639)
2026-02-26 security-advisories@github.com
7.5
CVSS 3.1 · GitHub Advisory
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Severity by source

GitHub Advisory PRIMARY
7.5 HIGH
AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N

Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.

CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory

CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:N
Attack Vector
Network
Attack Complexity
Low
Privileges Required
None
User Interaction
None
Scope
Unchanged
Confidentiality
None
Integrity
High
Availability
None

Lifecycle Timeline

2
Analysis Generated
Mar 12, 2026 - 21:55 vuln.today
CVE Published
Feb 26, 2026 - 16:24 nvd
HIGH 7.5

DescriptionGitHub Advisory

Discourse is an open source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0, when the patreon_webhook_secret site setting is blank, an attacker can forge valid webhook signatures by computing an HMAC-MD5 with an empty string as the key. Since the request body is known to the sender, the attacker can produce a matching signature and send arbitrary webhook payloads. This allows unauthorized creation, modification, or deletion of Patreon pledge data and triggering patron-to-group synchronization. This vulnerability is patched in versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0. The fix rejects webhook requests when the webhook secret is not configured, preventing signature forgery with an empty key. As a workaround, configure the patreon_webhook_secret site setting with a strong, non-empty secret value. When the secret is non-empty, an attacker cannot forge valid signatures without knowing the secret.

AnalysisAI

Discourse instances with an unconfigured patreon_webhook_secret allow remote attackers to forge valid webhook signatures using an empty HMAC-MD5 key, enabling arbitrary creation, modification, or deletion of Patreon pledge data and unauthorized patron synchronization. The vulnerability affects Discourse versions prior to 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0, and currently lacks an available patch. …

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Attack ChainAIDerived

Hypothetical attack flow derived from CVE metadata

Access
Identify blank patreon_webhook_secret setting
Delivery
Compute HMAC-MD5 with empty key
Exploit
Forge valid webhook signature
Execution
Send arbitrary Patreon webhook payload
Impact
Modify pledge data and group synchronization

Vulnerability AssessmentAI

Exploitation patreon_webhook_secret site setting must be blank (unconfigured). … Additional conditions and limiting factors are described in the full assessment.
Risk Assessment CVSS 7.5 (HIGH). … Full risk analysis with EPSS, KEV, and SSVC signal comparison available after sign-in.
Exploit Scenario An attacker without authentication could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system.
Remediation Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. … Detailed patch versions, workarounds, and compensating controls in full report.

Recommended ActionAI

Within 24 hours: Audit all Discourse instances to identify those with blank patreon_webhook_secret settings and disable Patreon webhook functionality if not actively used. …

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CVE-2026-26078 vulnerability details – vuln.today

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