CVE-2021-37693 : Security Advisory and Response

Discourse is an open-source platform for community discussion. A vulnerability in versions before 2.7.8 and 2.8.0.beta4 allows the re-use of email tokens, posing a medium risk.

Understanding CVE-2021-37693

This vulnerability in Discourse enables attackers to reuse email tokens, potentially leading to unauthorized password resets.

What is CVE-2021-37693?

Discourse versions prior to 2.7.8 and 2.8.0.beta4 have a flaw where deleting additional email addresses does not invalidate the associated token, enabling malicious actors to exploit this token for unauthorized actions.

The Impact of CVE-2021-37693

The vulnerability poses a medium risk, with a CVSS base score of 5.3. Attackers can exploit this issue to gain unauthorized access to user accounts by reusing email tokens.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-37693

Here are the technical details related to the vulnerability:

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows for the reuse of email tokens in Discourse, facilitating unauthorized activities like password resets.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions of Discourse earlier than 2.7.8 and 2.8.0.beta4 are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can reuse email tokens that were not invalidated upon deletion of additional email addresses to reset passwords and potentially gain access to user accounts.

Mitigation and Prevention

To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-37693, follow these recommendations:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should update their Discourse installations to versions 2.7.8 or higher to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong password policies, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits to enhance overall account security.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates from Discourse and promptly apply patches to address known vulnerabilities.