CVE-2023-23624
Discourse's exclude_tags param could leak which topics had a specific hidden tag
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- Low
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- Low
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- None
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
CVE List Score used
Discourse's exclude_tags param could leak which topics had a specific hidden tag
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
- Record
CVE-2023-23624- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2023-27717
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
- Record
EUVD-2023-27717- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Updated
- 2026-11-02
NVD
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
- Record
CVE-2023-23624- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - CVSS 3.1
- 5.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
Discourse's exclude_tags param could leak which topics had a specific hidden tag
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
- Record
CVE-2023-23624- CVSS 3.1
- 4.3 Medium
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N - Weakness
- CWE-200
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVBIT-discourse-2023-23624 No score
Discourse's exclude_tags param could leak which topics had a specific hidden tag
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches, someone can use the exclude_tag param to filter out topics and deduce which ones were using a specific hidden tag. This affects any Discourse site using hidden tags in public categories. This issue is patched in version 3.0.1 on the stable branch and version 3.1.0.beta2 on the beta and tests-passed branches. As a workaround, secure any categories that are using hidden tags, change any existing hidden tags to not include private data, or remove any hidden tags currently in use.
- Record
BIT-discourse-2023-23624- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
discourseBitnami |
before 3.0.1 | 3.0.1 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| first indexed | CVE List, EUVD, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2023-23624 is a medium vulnerability (CVSS 4.3) in Discourse, published January 27, 2023. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 0.61%, the 49th percentile. Fixed in discourse 3.0.1.
References
github.com/discourse/discourse/security/advisories/GHSA-qgj5-g5vf-fm7q
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2023-23624