CVE-2023-28853
CVE-2023-28853 is a high-severity vulnerability in Joinmastodon Mastodon with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7. It is not currently listed as actively exploited by CISA, and its EPSS exploit-prediction score is low. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-74.
Key facts
- Severity: High (CVSS 3.x base score 7.7)
- EPSS exploit prediction: 1% (67th percentile)
- Actively exploited: Not listed in CISA KEV
- Weakness: CWE-74
- Affected product: Joinmastodon Mastodon
- Published:
- Last modified:
Description
Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub Mastodon allows configuration of LDAP for authentication. Starting in version 2.5.0 and prior to versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2, the LDAP query made during login is insecure and the attacker can perform LDAP injection attack to leak arbitrary attributes from LDAP database. This issue is fixed in versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2.
Frequently asked questions
- What is CVE-2023-28853?
- Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub Mastodon allows configuration of LDAP for authentication. Starting in version 2.5.0 and prior to versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2, the LDAP query made during login is insecure and the attacker can perform LDAP injection attack to leak arbitrary attributes from LDAP database. This issue is fixed in versions 3.5.8, 4.0.4, and 4.1.2.
- How severe is CVE-2023-28853?
- CVE-2023-28853 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.7, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires low privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
- Is CVE-2023-28853 being actively exploited?
- It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 1% (67th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- What products are affected by CVE-2023-28853?
- CVE-2023-28853 affects Joinmastodon Mastodon. See the affected-products list for the exact vulnerable versions.
- How do I fix CVE-2023-28853?
- Review the linked vendor and NVD advisories for patched versions and mitigations, then upgrade or apply the recommended workaround. Given its high severity, prioritise patching exposed systems.
- When was CVE-2023-28853 published?
- CVE-2023-28853 was published on 2023-04-04 and last updated on 2026-06-17.
References
- http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2023/07/06/6
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/94cbd808b5b3e7999c7e77dc724b7e8c9dd2bdec/app/models/concerns/ldap_authenticable.rb#L7-L14
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/blob/94cbd808b5b3e7999c7e77dc724b7e8c9dd2bdec/config/initializers/devise.rb#L398-L414
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/pull/24379
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v3.5.8
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.0.4
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/releases/tag/v4.1.2
- https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon/security/advisories/GHSA-38g9-pfm9-gfqv
Affected products (1)
- cpe:2.3:a:joinmastodon:mastodon:*:*:*:*:*:*:*:*
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