Mattermost: URL Redirection to Untrusted Site
CVE-2026-12985 is a critical-severity URL redirection to untrusted site vulnerability in Mattermost, with a CVSS 3.1 base score of 9.3 out of 10. It can be exploited remotely over the network by an unauthenticated attacker, but only if a user takes part, for example by opening a link or file. Affected Mattermost versions: 11.9.0 and earlier; 11.8.0 through 11.8.4; 11.7.0 through 11.7.7. The record does not name a fixed version, so check the vendor advisory. There is no confirmed exploitation so far. EPSS estimates a 0.27% chance of exploitation within 30 days, which is low compared with other CVEs.
Critical severity: a successful attack would have severe impact.
What to do
- Update Mattermost Server to 11.7.8 or 11.8.5 or 11.9.1, whichever matches your release line, or a later version.
- Read the advisory on mattermost.com for workarounds and exact fixed builds.
- Until you can update, restrict network access to the affected service so it is not reachable from untrusted networks.
- Because the attack needs a user to take part, warn users about unexpected links and files related to this product until it is patched.
Affected products and versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mattermost | Mattermost | 11.9.0 and earlier; 11.8.0 through 11.8.4; 11.7.0 through 11.7.7 | Not stated |
| Mattermost | Mattermost Server | 11.7.0 up to, but not including, 11.7.8; 11.8.0 up to, but not including, 11.8.5; 11.9.0 up to, but not including, 11.9.1 | 11.7.8, 11.8.5, 11.9.1 |
Version data comes from the organisation that assigned the CVE. Confirm against the vendor advisory before deciding you are unaffected.
How the severity score breaks down
- Attack vector
- NetworkCan be exploited remotely over a network, including the internet.
- Attack complexity
- LowNo special conditions are needed; the attack works reliably.
- Privileges required
- NoneNo account or login is needed.
- User interaction
- RequiredA user must take an action such as opening a file or link.
- Scope
- ChangedThe attack can reach beyond the vulnerable component into other systems.
- Confidentiality
- HighAll data handled by the component can be read.
- Integrity
- HighData or code can be modified at will.
- Availability
- NoneAvailability is not affected.
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:N. Scored by NVD.
| Scoring system | Score | Severity | Scored by |
|---|---|---|---|
| CVSS 3.1 | 6.8 | Medium | CNA (mattermost.com) |
| CVSS 3.1 | 9.3 | Critical | NVD |
Official description
Mattermost versions 11.9.x <= 11.9.0, 11.8.x <= 11.8.4, 11.7.x <= 11.7.7 Mattermost failed to validate Dynamic Client Registration redirect URIs by URL component (matching glob patterns against the raw URI string instead) which allows a remote unauthenticated attacker to register an OAuth client with an attacker-controlled callback host that bypasses the configured redirect URI allowlist via a crafted redirect URI that places an allowlisted host/path suffix inside the query string.. Mattermost Advisory ID: MMSA-2026-00700
Source: the CVE record as published by its numbering authority, via NVD and CVE.org.
The underlying weakness: URL Redirection to Untrusted Site
The web application accepts a user-controlled input that specifies a link to an external site, and uses that link in a redirect.
How developers prevent this class of flaw
- Use an intermediate disclaimer page that provides the user with a clear warning that they are leaving the current site. Implement a long timeout before the redirect occurs, or force the user to click on the link. Be careful to avoid XSS problems (CWE-79) when generating the disclaimer page.
- When the set of acceptable objects, such as filenames or URLs, is limited or known, create a mapping from a set of fixed input values (such as numeric IDs) to the actual filenames or URLs, and reject all other inputs. For example, ID 1 could map to /login.asp and ID 2 could map to http://www.example.com/. Features such as the ESAPI AccessReferenceMap provide this capability.
- Ensure that no externally-supplied requests are honored by requiring that all redirect requests include a unique nonce generated by the application. Be sure that the nonce is not predictable (CWE-330).
More URL Redirection to Untrusted Site vulnerabilities (CWE-601)
Timeline
- CVE record published.
- CISA published its SSVC assessment (exploitation: none, automatable: no, technical impact: total).
- Record last changed materially (score, affected products, status or references).
References
Advisories
Other vulnerabilities in Mattermost
- 8.0 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
- 7.1 High severity
Recent URL Redirection to Untrusted Site vulnerabilities
- 9.3 Critical severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 8.6 High severity
- 9.3 Critical severity
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