CVE-2023-28107 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

This CVE record highlights a vulnerability in Discourse that allows for a multisite Denial of Service (DoS) attack through spamming backups.

Understanding CVE-2023-28107

Discourse, an open-source discussion platform, was susceptible to a DoS attack before versions 3.0.2 in the stable branch, 3.1.0.beta3 in the beta branch, and tests-passed branch. This vulnerability enabled an administrator to request backups multiple times, causing a depletion of database connections. This could significantly impact the entire cluster in a multisite setup. The issue has been addressed in versions 3.0.2 and 3.1.0.beta3 for the respective branches, with no known workarounds available.

What is CVE-2023-28107?

The vulnerability in Discourse allowed an administrator to exhaust database connections by spamming backup requests, potentially leading to a DoS attack affecting the entire site cluster.

The Impact of CVE-2023-28107

The vulnerability posed a high availability impact, making the system susceptible to a DoS attack. However, with the release of patched versions, users are advised to update to mitigate the risk.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-28107

This section delves into the specific technical aspects of the CVE, including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Discourse allowed an administrator to overload the system by requesting backups repeatedly, causing a depletion of database resources and potentially disrupting the overall performance and availability of the platform.

Affected Systems and Versions

Discourse versions prior to 3.0.2 in the stable branch, 3.1.0.beta3 in the beta branch, and tests-passed branch were impacted by this vulnerability. Users operating on these versions were at risk of experiencing a DoS attack through the exploitation of this issue.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the ability to request backups multiple times, an administrator could exhaust database connections, leading to a denial of service situation for the affected Discourse instances.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2023-28107 and prevent potential attacks, users are recommended to take immediate steps to secure their Discourse installations and implement long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Discourse to version 3.0.2 in the stable branch or version 3.1.0.beta3 in the beta and tests-passed branches to apply the necessary patches.
Monitor system logs for any unusual backup requests or database connection activity that could indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Discourse to the latest versions to ensure that known vulnerabilities are patched promptly.
Limit administrator privileges to reduce the impact of potential malicious activities on the system.
Implement network-level security measures to detect and mitigate DoS attacks before they impact system availability.

Patching and Updates

It is crucial for Discourse administrators to prioritize updating their installations to the patched versions (3.0.2 for stable, 3.1.0.beta3 for beta, and tests-passed branches) to safeguard against the multisite DoS vulnerability and ensure the continued security of their discussion platforms.