CVE-2004-1978 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in help.php in Moodle before 1.3 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and web script via the text parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1978 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in the Moodle learning management system prior to version 1.3. This vulnerability exists within the help.php script and specifically targets the text parameter, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute malicious code within the context of affected user browsers. The issue falls under the category of CWE-79, which defines cross-site scripting as a code injection attack that enables attackers to execute scripts in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the application. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental failure in input validation and output sanitization within the Moodle platform's help system, where user-supplied data is not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in web pages.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious input containing HTML or JavaScript code and submits it through the text parameter of the help.php script. When the vulnerable Moodle system processes this input and displays it without proper sanitization, the malicious code becomes part of the web page content and executes in the browser of any user who views the affected help page. This creates a persistent threat vector where attackers can leverage the legitimate help functionality to deliver malicious payloads to unsuspecting users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it targets a help system that users frequently access, increasing the potential attack surface and impact. Attackers can use this weakness to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users, effectively bypassing the normal security boundaries of the learning management system.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1978 extends beyond simple code injection, as it fundamentally compromises the security model of Moodle installations. Organizations using affected versions face significant risks including unauthorized access to course materials, potential data breaches, and the possibility of attackers establishing persistent access through session hijacking techniques. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of educational data stored within Moodle platforms, potentially exposing sensitive student information, grades, and institutional communications. From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious links, and T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The impact is particularly severe in educational environments where Moodle systems often contain sensitive academic data, personal information, and institutional communications that could be compromised through successful exploitation of this XSS vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action to upgrade to Moodle version 1.3 or later, which includes proper input validation and output sanitization measures. Organizations should implement comprehensive input filtering mechanisms that escape special characters in user-supplied content, particularly in help system parameters. Security headers such as Content Security Policy should be configured to limit script execution and prevent unauthorized code injection. Regular security audits and input validation testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the Moodle platform. The remediation process must also include user education about the risks of clicking suspicious links and the importance of maintaining updated software versions. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring systems that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting known XSS patterns in their Moodle installations. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of regular security updates in educational technology platforms.