CVE-2026-23963
What it is
Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub. Prior to versions 4.5.5, 4.4.12, and 4.3.18, the server does not enforce a maximum length for the names of lists or filters, or for filter keywords, allowing any user to set an arbitrarily long string as the name or keyword. Any local user can abuse the list or filter fields to cause disproportionate storage and computing resource usage. They can additionally cause their own web interface to be unusable, although they must intentionally do this to themselves or unknowingly approve a malicious API client. Mastodon versions v4.5.5, v4.4.12, v4.3.18 are patched.
At a glance
- Exploitability
- Can be exploited over the network with a low-privilege account. Limited direct impact.
- Exploit odds
- 0.4% 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: 0.4% in the next 30 days (EPSS).
- Severity: 4.3 MEDIUM (CVSS).
- Fix: a patch or advisory is linked.
Details
- Published
- Last modified
- Exploit probability
- 0.4% · EPSS, next 30 days
- Weakness
- CWE-770 · Allocation without limits
- Record status
- Analyzed
Affected
- Joinmastodon Mastodon < 4.3.18
- Joinmastodon Mastodon < 4.4.12
- Joinmastodon Mastodon < 4.5.5
Attack profile CVSS 3.1 · 4.3
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
- Scope
- Unchanged
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- Low
Raw vector
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L
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-2026-23963.md and follow it. Check whether this project is affected by CVE-2026-23963. Read only. Don't change anything and don't upload my code. Tell me yes, no or not sure, with the file as proof.
Fix and advisories
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.3.18
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.4.12
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.5.5
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/security/advisories/GHSA-6x3w-9g92-gvf3