CVE-2004-1425 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in file.php in Moodle 1.4.2 and earlier allows remote attackers to read arbitrary session files for known session IDs via a .. (dot dot) in the file parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1425 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the Moodle learning management system version 1.4.2 and earlier releases. This security weakness exists in the file.php component which handles file operations within the application's session management system. The flaw allows malicious actors to exploit improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize user-supplied parameters, specifically the file parameter used in session file access operations. The vulnerability stems from the application's insufficient restriction of file paths, enabling attackers to navigate outside the intended directory structure through the use of directory traversal sequences.
This directory traversal vulnerability operates through the exploitation of the .. (dot dot) sequence in the file parameter, which allows attackers to traverse up the directory hierarchy and access files outside the designated session storage area. The attack vector specifically targets the session management functionality where Moodle stores session data for user authentication and state management. When a user provides a session ID and attempts to access a file through the vulnerable file.php script, the application processes the request without proper validation of the file path, enabling unauthorized access to session files that should remain protected. This flaw directly violates the principle of least privilege and proper input sanitization that security frameworks mandate for web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to potentially access sensitive session data that could contain user credentials, authentication tokens, or other confidential information. Session files typically contain critical authentication state information that could be leveraged to impersonate legitimate users within the Moodle system. An attacker with knowledge of valid session IDs could exploit this vulnerability to read session files and potentially reconstruct user sessions, leading to unauthorized access to courses, user accounts, and administrative functions. This represents a significant threat to the integrity and confidentiality of the learning management system, particularly in environments where Moodle serves as the primary platform for educational content delivery and user management.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 Directory Traversal and maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 Valid Accounts for maintaining persistent access and T1566 Phishing for initial compromise. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate path sanitization that are fundamental security requirements outlined in security standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework. Organizations running affected Moodle versions face significant risk of unauthorized access to educational data, potential data breaches, and compromise of user privacy. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper access control mechanisms and the need for regular security updates and patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching to the latest stable version of Moodle that addresses the directory traversal issue through proper input validation and path restriction mechanisms. Organizations should implement proper input sanitization for all user-supplied parameters and establish robust file access controls that prevent directory traversal attacks. Additional defensive measures include monitoring for suspicious file access patterns, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block traversal attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of learning management systems. Security teams should also establish proper session management practices including secure session storage, regular session rotation, and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to session files. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing comprehensive security controls to protect educational platforms from exploitation by malicious actors.