CVE-2024-53991

CVE-2024-53991 is a high-severity vulnerability in Discourse with a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score of 25% places it in the 98th percentile, indicating an elevated likelihood of exploitation. The underlying weakness is classified as CWE-200.

Key facts

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.

Frequently asked questions

What is CVE-2024-53991?
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.
How severe is CVE-2024-53991?
CVE-2024-53991 has a CVSS 3.x base score of 7.5, rated high severity. It is exploitable over network with low attack complexity, requires no privileges and no user interaction. Impact on confidentiality is high, integrity none, and availability none.
Is CVE-2024-53991 being actively exploited?
It is not currently listed in CISA's KEV catalog. Its EPSS exploit-prediction score is 25% (98th percentile), an estimate of the probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
What products are affected by CVE-2024-53991?
CVE-2024-53991 primarily affects Discourse. In total, 5 product configurations (CPEs) are listed as vulnerable; see the affected-products list for the exact versions.
How do I fix CVE-2024-53991?
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.
Does CVE-2024-53991 have an EU (EUVD) identifier?
Yes. CVE-2024-53991 is tracked in the ENISA EU Vulnerability Database (EUVD) as EUVD-2024-52229.
When was CVE-2024-53991 published?
CVE-2024-53991 was published on 2024-12-19 and last updated on 2026-06-17.

References

Affected products (5)

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