CVE-2023-45147Network attack vector

Plugin-dependent data compromise via arbitrary custom fields

Published Oct 16, 2023 · Updated Sep 13, 2024

Improper input validation in affected Discourse releases allows remote authenticated users to write arbitrary topic custom-field keys. The topic-creation parameter filter accepted attacker-chosen field names rather than limiting input to registered editable topic fields. Any account able to create a topic reaches the flaw; default plugins have no impact, so consequences require a plugin that trusts those fields.

CVSS severity4.9
Medium
EPSS probability0.27%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Improper input validation in affected Discourse releases allows remote authenticated users to write arbitrary topic custom-field keys. The topic-creation parameter filter accepted attacker-chosen field names rather than limiting input to registered editable topic fields. Any account able to create a topic reaches the flaw; default plugins have no impact, so consequences require a plugin that trusts those fields.

The record

CVE
CVE-2023-45147
Published
Oct 16, 2023
Updated
Sep 13, 2024
Vendor
Discourse
Product
Discourse
Classifications
CWE-200, T1565.001
Attack vector
network
Privileges
authenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Oct 16, 2023CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Sep 13, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=<= 3.1.1
  2. Affected versionversion=beta: <= 3.2.0.beta2

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesauthenticated

What is affected?

Discourse · Discourseversion=<= 3.1.1; version=beta: <= 3.2.0.beta2

Published CVSS scores

3.1NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N
4.9GitHub, Inc.CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

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No observations available

Sep 9, 2026Sep 15, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 15, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
T1565.001Stored Data Manipulation

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

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Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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