CVE-2026-72731 Discourse: Strip SQL comments and use non-recursive parameter interpolation in Data Explorer
Attackers can execute arbitrary SQL queries to read any database table via crafted parameter values in Data Explorer queries.
- Exploited in the wild
- Not known
- Login needed
- Any signed-in user
- Attackable
- Over the internet
- Victim action needed
- Not needed
- Fix
- Available
What is CVE-2026-72731?
CVE-2026-72731 is a high-severity SQL injection vulnerability in discourse, published on 10 Aug 2026. Any signed-in user can exploit it over the network, with no action from the victim.
Official description
Discourse is an open-source discussion platform. From 2026.1.0-latest until 2026.1.7, 2026.6.2, 2026.7.1, and 2026.8.0-latest.1, anyone able to run a parameterized Data Explorer query, including non-staff members of a group a query is shared with, could craft parameter values that escaped the intended query and executed arbitrary SQL through plugins/discourse-data-explorer/lib/discourse_data_explorer/data_explorer.rb and plugins/discourse-data-explorer/lib/discourse_data_explorer/workflows/sql_action/v1.rb. Recursive parameter interpolation allowed one parameter value to introduce another parameter, and parameter declarations in SQL comments could be used to inject a statement. Queries run in a read-only transaction, so data could not be modified, but any table could be read. This issue is fixed in versions 2026.1.7, 2026.6.2, 2026.7.1, and 2026.8.0-latest.1.
Weakness: CWE-89
Which versions are affected by CVE-2026-72731?
1 open source package ship an affected version, including discourse.
| Package | Affected | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
discourse Bitnami | All versions | 2026.1.7, 2026.6.2, 2026.7.1 |
How do I fix CVE-2026-72731?
Upgrade discourse to a fixed version for your release line: 2026.1.7, 2026.6.2 or 2026.7.1.
Use parameterised queries everywhere and never build SQL by joining strings. Upgrade affected software first; a web application firewall only buys time. More about SQL injection.
Is CVE-2026-72731 being exploited?
There is no known exploitation of CVE-2026-72731 in the wild and no public exploit code.
Sources
Also known as BIT-discourse-2026-72731, GHSA-wm63-83xp-59r5.