CVE-2025-54879
August 05, 2025
Mastodon is a free, open-source social network server based on ActivityPub Mastodon which facilitates LDAP configuration for authentication. In versions 3.1.5 through 4.2.24, 4.3.0 through 4.3.11 and 4.4.0 through 4.4.3, Mastodon's rate-limiting system has a critical configuration error where the email-based throttle for confirmation emails incorrectly checks the password reset path instead of the confirmation path, effectively disabling per-email limits for confirmation requests. This allows attackers to bypass rate limits by rotating IP addresses and send unlimited confirmation emails to any email address, as only a weak IP-based throttle (25 requests per 5 minutes) remains active. The vulnerability enables denial-of-service attacks that can overwhelm mail queues and facilitate user harassment through confirmation email spam. This is fixed in versions 4.2.24, 4.3.11 and 4.4.3.
Affected Packages
https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=v3.1.5 <v4.2.24Fix Suggestion:
Update to version v4.2.24https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=v4.4.0 <v4.4.3Fix Suggestion:
Update to version v4.4.3https://github.com/mastodon/mastodon.git (GITHUB):
Affected version(s) >=v4.3.0 <v4.3.11Fix Suggestion:
Update to version v4.3.11Related Resources (3)
Do you need more information?
Contact UsCVSS v4
Base Score:
6.9
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Attack Requirements
NONE
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Vulnerable System Confidentiality
NONE
Vulnerable System Integrity
NONE
Vulnerable System Availability
LOW
Subsequent System Confidentiality
NONE
Subsequent System Integrity
NONE
Subsequent System Availability
NONE
CVSS v3
Base Score:
5.3
Attack Vector
NETWORK
Attack Complexity
LOW
Privileges Required
NONE
User Interaction
NONE
Scope
UNCHANGED
Confidentiality
NONE
Integrity
NONE
Availability
LOW
Weakness Type (CWE)
Allocation of Resources Without Limits or Throttling
EPSS
Base Score:
0.09