CVE-2024-53991
MediumThis vulnerability only impacts Discourse instances configured to use FileStore::LocalStore which means uploads and backups are stored locally on disk.
Published Dec 19, 2024 · Updated Oct 6, 2026 · Also known as BIT-discourse-2024-53991, GHSA-567m-82f6-56rv
Key Facts
Routine patching- CVE-2024-53991 is a medium-severity vulnerability (CVSS 5.9 v3.1) affecting Discourse.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 30% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Discourse 3.3.3, Discourse 3.3.2, Discourse 3.4.0.
- Brandefense priority: routine patching, as no exploitation is known and its severity is moderate or low.
CVSS v3.1
5.9
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
30%
Higher than 98.1% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
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Description
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion. This vulnerability only impacts Discourse instances configured to use FileStore::LocalStore which means uploads and backups are stored locally on disk. If an attacker knows the name of the Discourse backup file, the attacker can trick nginx into sending the Discourse backup file with a well crafted request. This issue is patched in the latest stable, beta and tests-passed versions of Discourse. Users are advised to upgrade. Users unable to upgrade can either 1. Download all local backups on to another storage device, disable the enable_backups site setting and delete all backups until the site has been upgraded to pull in the fix. Or 2. Change the backup_location site setting to s3 so that backups are stored and downloaded directly from S3.
Affected Products
7 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| DiscourseDiscourse | 3.4.0-beta1, 3.4.0-beta2, 3.4.0-beta3, >= stable: <= 3.3.2 | 3.4.0 |
Patched Releases
Discourse
3.3.3, 3.3.2, 3.4.0
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Dec 19, 2024
Last updated
Oct 6, 2026
Weakness Type
- CWE-200 Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
References
FAQ
Common Questions.
Discourse is an open source platform for community discussion.
Affected: Discourse versions 3.4.0-beta1, 3.4.0-beta2, 3.4.0-beta3, >= stable: <= 3.3.2. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Discourse 3.3.3, Discourse 3.3.2, Discourse 3.4.0.
Brandefense priority: routine patching, as no exploitation is known and its severity is moderate or low.
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