CVE-2007-1647 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle 1.5.2 and earlier stores sensitive information under the web root with insufficient access control, and provides directory listings, which allows remote attackers to obtain user names, password hashes, and other sensitive information via a direct request for session (sess_*) files in moodledata/sessions/.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1647 represents a critical security flaw in Moodle versions 1.5.2 and earlier, where sensitive data is improperly stored with inadequate access controls. This issue stems from the application's failure to implement proper file system permissions and access restrictions for its data directory structure, specifically within the moodledata/sessions/ folder. The vulnerability creates a path traversal risk that allows remote attackers to directly access session files without proper authentication, potentially exposing sensitive user information.
The technical flaw manifests through the web server's configuration and Moodle's file handling mechanisms. When Moodle stores session data in the moodledata/sessions/ directory, it does not properly restrict access to these files through web server configuration or application-level access controls. The presence of directory listings further compounds the issue, as attackers can enumerate the contents of the sessions directory and identify specific session files with names following the sess_* pattern. These session files contain user authentication tokens and potentially password hashes that are stored in plaintext or weakly encrypted formats.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to obtain valid user credentials, including password hashes, which can then be subjected to offline dictionary attacks or rainbow table lookups to recover plaintext passwords. The exposure of user names and session information also enables session hijacking attacks, where attackers can impersonate legitimate users and gain unauthorized access to Moodle systems. This vulnerability affects the confidentiality and integrity of user data, potentially leading to complete system compromise if administrators or users have high-privilege accounts.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-276 (Incorrect Permission Assignment) categories, representing a classic case of insufficient access control where sensitive data is stored in publicly accessible locations. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1566 (Phishing) and T1078 (Valid Accounts) as attackers can leverage stolen credentials to maintain persistent access. Additionally, it relates to T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) as attackers use directory enumeration and web application exploitation techniques to discover and access sensitive files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate implementation of proper file system permissions where session files are stored outside the web root directory or with restricted access permissions. Administrators should configure web server settings to prevent direct access to the moodledata/sessions/ directory through .htaccess files or similar access control mechanisms. The recommended approach involves moving session storage to a location outside the web root, ensuring that session files are not accessible via web requests. Additionally, implementing proper directory listing restrictions and enabling access control lists on the file system will prevent unauthorized access to session data. System administrators should also consider upgrading to newer Moodle versions where this vulnerability has been addressed through improved session management and access control mechanisms. Regular security audits and proper configuration management practices should be implemented to prevent similar issues in the future, ensuring that sensitive data is always stored with appropriate access controls and permissions.