CVE-2022-21678 : Security Advisory and Response
Discourse CVE-2022-21678 highlights a vulnerability where user bios were visible despite profile privacy settings. Learn the impact, affected versions, and mitigation steps.
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform that had a vulnerability prior to version 2.8.0.beta11 in the
tests-passedbetastable<meta>Understanding CVE-2022-21678
This CVE refers to a security issue in Discourse related to user privacy settings.
What is CVE-2022-21678?
CVE-2022-21678 highlights a vulnerability in Discourse that exposed the bios of users who set their profiles to private in certain versions.
The Impact of CVE-2022-21678
The vulnerability allowed sensitive user information to be inadvertently exposed, raising privacy concerns for affected users.
Technical Details of CVE-2022-21678
In this section, we'll delve into the specifics of the vulnerability.
Vulnerability Description
The issue allowed the bios of users with private profiles to be visible in metadata tags on their user pages.
Affected Systems and Versions
Versions prior to 2.7.13 and < 2.8.0.beta11 in Discourse were impacted by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
The exposure of user bios was unintentional, occurring due to a flaw in how user privacy settings were handled.
Mitigation and Prevention
Discover the steps recommended to address and prevent this security issue.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update to the patched versions -
tests-passedbetastableLong-Term Security Practices
Implementing robust user privacy controls and regular security audits can help prevent similar incidents.
Patching and Updates
Regularly updating Discourse to the latest secure versions is crucial to safeguard user data.