CVE-2023-38684
MediumCVSS 5.3Exploitation Probability (EPSS)
Low risk41th percentile - higher than 41% of all known CVEs
Summary
Discourse is an open source discussion platform that prior to version 3.0.6 of the `stable` branch and version 3.1.0.beta7 of the `beta` and `tests-passed` branches did not impose an upper limit on limit parameters in multiple controller actions. This lack of restriction may allow users to generate database queries that could exhaust server resources.
Risk Assessment
The organization may experience server performance issues, potentially leading to service outages and financial losses.
Recommendation
It is recommended to update Discourse to version 3.0.6 in the `stable` branch or 3.1.0.beta7 in the `beta` and `tests-passed` branches to patch this vulnerability.
Original NVD description (English source)
Discourse is an open source discussion platform. Prior to version 3.0.6 of the `stable` branch and version 3.1.0.beta7 of the `beta` and `tests-passed` branches, in multiple controller actions, Discourse accepts limit params but does not impose any upper bound on the values being accepted. Without an upper bound, the software may allow arbitrary users to generate DB queries which may end up exhausting the resources on the server. The issue is patched in version 3.0.6 of the `stable` branch and version 3.1.0.beta7 of the `beta` and `tests-passed` branches. There are no known workarounds for this vulnerability.