CVE-2026-21865
What it is
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. In versions prior to 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, and 2026.1.0, moderators can convert some personal messages to public topics when they shouldn't have access. This issue is patched in versions 3.5.4, 2025.11.2, 2025.12.1, and 2026.1.0. As a workaround, site admin can temporarily revoke the moderation role from untrusted moderators or remove the moderator group from the "personal message enabled groups" site setting until the Discourse instance has been upgraded to a version that has been patched.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network with an admin-level account. High risk of data exposure, data tampering.
- Exploit odds
- 0.3% chance of exploitation in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Fix
- A patch, advisory or fixed version is referenced. Upgrade or apply it.
Timeline
- PublishedDisclosed publicly on CVE.org and NVD
- Last updatedMost recent change to the record
Why it ranks here
- Exploited in the wild: no, CISA does not list it.
- Exploit odds: 0.3% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 6.5 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.3% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-862 · Missing authorization
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Discourse < 3.5.4
- Discourse < 2025.11.2
- Discourse 2025.12.0
- Discourse 2026.1.0
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 6.5
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- High
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- High
- Integrity
- High
- Availability
- None
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:N
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-2026-21865.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-21865. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
