Discourse: Composer mentions endpoint leaks hidden group membership through PM `allowed_names` check
Description
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. Prior to versions 2026.3.0-latest.1, 2026.2.1, and 2026.1.2, the ComposerController#mentions endpoint reveals hidden group membership to any authenticated user who can message the group. By supplying allowed_names referencing a hidden-membership group and probing arbitrary usernames, an attacker can infer membership based on whether user_reasons returns "private" for a given user. This bypasses group member-visibility controls. Versions 2026.3.0-latest.1, 2026.2.1, and 2026.1.2 contain a patch. To work around this issue, restrict the messageable policy of any hidden-membership group to staff or group members only, so untrusted users cannot reach the vulnerable code path.
Affected products
1- Range: >= 2026.1.0-latest, < 2026.1.2
Patches
0No patches discovered yet.
Vulnerability mechanics
AI mechanics synthesis has not run for this CVE yet.
References
1- github.com/discourse/discourse/security/advisories/GHSA-5f9h-vp7v-7vq5mitrex_refsource_CONFIRM
News mentions
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