CVE-2006-4941 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities in Moodle before 1.6.2 might allow remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via (1) the choose parameter in files/index.php and (2) the sub parameter in doc/index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4941 represents a critical security flaw in Moodle learning management systems prior to version 1.6.2, specifically affecting the platform's handling of user input parameters. This vulnerability falls under the category of cross-site scripting attacks, which are among the most prevalent and dangerous web application security issues. The flaw manifests in two distinct locations within the Moodle codebase, creating multiple attack vectors for malicious actors seeking to exploit the system's input validation mechanisms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data within the choose parameter of files/index.php and the sub parameter of doc/index.php. These parameters are directly incorporated into the web application's output without proper encoding or validation, allowing attackers to inject malicious script code that executes within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's file management and documentation display functionalities, where user input is processed and rendered without sufficient security controls to prevent malicious code injection.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to Moodle deployments, as it enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary web scripts or HTML code in the browsers of authenticated users. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of users, redirect users to malicious websites, or even establish persistent backdoors within the learning environment. The impact extends beyond individual user compromise to potentially affect entire institutional learning management systems, particularly in educational environments where Moodle serves as a central platform for student and faculty interactions.
The security implications of CVE-2006-4941 align with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. This classification emphasizes the fundamental flaw in the application's data handling processes where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered to end users. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1566.001, which describes the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through malicious input injection. Organizations using vulnerable Moodle versions face substantial risk of unauthorized access and data compromise, making immediate remediation essential for maintaining the integrity of their educational platforms.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to Moodle version 1.6.2 or later, which includes proper input validation and output encoding fixes for the affected parameters. Additionally, administrators should implement input sanitization measures at the web application firewall level and consider deploying content security policies to further reduce the attack surface. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues in other components of the Moodle ecosystem, ensuring comprehensive protection against evolving threat landscapes in educational technology environments.