CVE-2023-23935

What it is

Discourse is an open-source messaging platform. In versions 3.0.1 and prior on the `stable` branch and versions 3.1.0.beta2 and prior on the `beta` and `tests-passed` branches, the count of personal messages displayed for a tag is a count of all personal messages regardless of whether the personal message is visible to a given user. As a result, any users can technically poll a sensitive tag to determine if a new personal message is created even if the user does not have access to the personal message. In the patched versions, the count of personal messages tagged with a given tag is hidden by default. To revert to the old behaviour of displaying the count of personal messages for a given tag, an admin may enable the `display_personal_messages_tag_counts` site setting.

At a glance

Exploitability

Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account, but needs a user to act. Limited direct impact.

Exploit odds

0.5% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).

Fix

A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.

Timeline

1. 2023-03-16 21:15 UTC PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
2. 2026-06-17 05:38 UTC Last updatedMost recent change to the record

Why it ranks here

• Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
• Exploit odds: 0.5% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
• Severity: 3.5 LOW (CVSS).
• Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.

Details

Published

2023-03-16 21:15 UTC

Last modified

2026-06-17 05:38 UTC

Exploit probability

0.5% · EPSS, next 30 days

Weakness

CWE-200 · Information exposure

Record status

Modified

Affected

• Discourse < 3.0.1
• Discourse 1.1.0
• Discourse 1.2.0
• Discourse 1.3.0
• Discourse 1.4.0
• Discourse 1.5.0
• Discourse 1.6.0
• Discourse 1.7.0

Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 3.5

Attack vector

Network

Complexity

Low

Privileges needed

Low

User interaction

Required

Scope

Unchanged

Confidentiality

Low

Integrity

None

Availability

None

Is it in your code?

Hand this to your coding agent. It searches your project for the affected products and checks versions. Nothing leaves your machine.

Read https://cve-list.com/agent/cve/CVE-2023-23935.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2023-23935. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.

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