Discourse
CVE-2026-28218
MEDIUM
Vulnerability Assessment
| Weakness |
CWE
OWASP Top 10:2025
A01:2025 - Broken Access Control
ASVS 5.0
V8 - Authorization Access control enforcement
MITRE ATT&CK
1 technique across 1 tactic: Defense Evasion The technique list with ATT&CK links and the kill-chain view is part of the Basic plan and up. |
| Impact | CVSS 5.4 (MEDIUM). Attack vector: Network. Complexity: Low. Privileges required: Low. User interaction: None. Exploitation requires authentication. |
| Exploit ScenarioDerived | An attacker (requires authentication) could exploit this vulnerability to compromise the affected system. |
Get an e-mail when this CVE is exploited, patched or re-scored. Free account.
Alert meAnalysisAIv1 – Mar 12, 2026
The Data Explorer plugin in Discourse prior to versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0 fails to properly enforce access controls, allowing any authenticated user to execute arbitrary SQL queries against unprotected queries, including system-level queries. This affects all installations with the Data Explorer plugin enabled and permits authenticated attackers to access or modify sensitive data without proper authorization. No patch is currently available, though administrators can mitigate the issue by explicitly setting group permissions on queries or disabling the plugin.
Earlier versions of this analysis (1)
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0, fail-open access control in Data Explorer plugin allows any authenticated user to execute SQL queries that have no explicit group assignments, including built-in system queries. [CVSS 5.4 MEDIUM]
RemediationAI
Monitor vendor advisories for a patch. Restrict network access to the affected service where possible.
Affects your stack
Find out whether the stacks and servers you run are on an affected version.
Checking this CVE against your own stacks and servers is part of the Basic plan and up.
Technical ContextAI · show details
Classified as CWE-284 (Improper Access Control). Affects Discourse. Discourse is an open source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0, fail-open access control in Data Explorer plugin allows any authenticated user to execute SQL queries that have no explicit group assignments, including built-in system queries. Versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0 patch the issue. As a workaround, either explicitly set group permissions on each Data Explorer query that doesn't have permissions, or disable discourse-data-explorer plugin.
Know when Discourse gets its next vulnerability
- Watch products and get an email when something new is published
- Check this CVE against your own stack and servers
- Exploit and PoC references, threat intelligence from 22 sources
No credit card · 7-day full trial
Severity by source
AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N
Primary rating from GitHub Advisory · only source for this CVE.
CVSS VectorGitHub Advisory
DescriptionGitHub Advisory
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0, fail-open access control in Data Explorer plugin allows any authenticated user to execute SQL queries that have no explicit group assignments, including built-in system queries. Versions 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0 patch the issue. As a workaround, either explicitly set group permissions on each Data Explorer query that doesn't have permissions, or disable discourse-data-explorer plugin.
Executive ViewAI
Organizations using Discourse should be aware of moderate risk from CVE-2026-28218, a improper access control vulnerability rated CVSS 5.4. Exploitation could compromise the security of affected deployments. Organizations should apply vendor updates when available and monitor for exploitation.
Apply vendor patch. If patching is delayed: restrict network access and enable monitoring.
Threat Intelligence Overview
NVD
CVE.org
EPSS
GitHub
How this decision was reached
The engine reads each signal below and applies a fixed list of rules from top to bottom. The first rule that matches sets the recommended action – like a statement, every line is shown.
What every action level means
SSVC AssessmentENISA
Priority Score
Attack Technique
Authentication bypass attacks exploit flaws in the verification mechanisms that control access to systems and applications.
Affected Products (CPE)GitHub Advisory
Discourse versions prior to 3.5.0.beta6 contain a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in social login fun
discourse-bbcode is the official BBCode plugin for Discourse. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is
Unauthorized information disclosure in Discourse discussion platform versions prior to 2026.3.0-latest.1, 2026.2.1, and
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion. Rated high severity (CVSS 8.2), this vulnerability is rem
Discourse versions prior to 2025.12.2, 2026.1.1, and 2026.2.0 contain an insecure direct object reference (IDOR) in the
In Discourse 2.7.0 through beta1, a rate-limit bypass leads to a bypass of the 2FA requirement for certain forms. Rated
Unauthenticated attackers can submit forged webhook payloads to multiple email provider integrations in Discourse versio
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Rated medium severity (CVSS 6.5), this vulnerability is remotely exploi
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion. Rated medium severity (CVSS 5.9), this vulnerability is r
Discourse versions prior to 3.4.4 (stable), 3.5.0.beta5 (beta), and 3.5.0.beta6-dev (tests-passed) contain a critical vu
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8), this vulnerability is
Discourse Patreon enables syncronization between Discourse Groups and Patreon rewards. Rated critical severity (CVSS 9.8
Exploit-DB