CVE-2011-2774 in Mahara
Summary
by MITRE
The "Reply to message" feature in Mahara 1.3.x and 1.4.x before 1.4.1 allows remote authenticated users to read the messages of a different user via a modified replyto parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2774 resides within the Mahara learning management system version 1.3.x and 1.4.x prior to 1.4.1, specifically targeting the "Reply to message" functionality. This flaw represents a critical access control weakness that undermines the fundamental security assumptions of user message isolation within the platform. The issue manifests when authenticated users exploit a parameter modification technique to access messages belonging to other users, effectively bypassing the intended authorization mechanisms that should prevent such cross-user message reading.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper access control enforcement within the message handling subsystem. When users attempt to reply to messages, the system relies on a replyto parameter to determine the target recipient of their response. However, the application fails to properly validate or sanitize this parameter, allowing malicious actors to manipulate its value to reference messages belonging to other users. This parameter manipulation occurs during the message reply process, where the system accepts the modified parameter without verifying that the authenticated user has legitimate access rights to the target message. The flaw operates at the application logic level, where the authorization check occurs too late in the processing flow or not at all for the specific parameter in question.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the privacy and confidentiality guarantees that users expect from a learning management system. Attackers can potentially access sensitive communications, personal information, or academic records that should remain private to specific user accounts. This vulnerability affects the integrity of the system's user isolation model and can be particularly damaging in educational environments where students and instructors rely on private messaging for academic discussions, grade communications, or personal correspondence. The remote nature of the attack means that an authenticated user can exploit this weakness from any network location, making it particularly concerning for systems with diverse user bases and varying network security postures.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues in software systems, and specifically relates to the broader category of access control vulnerabilities that undermine the principle of least privilege. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this weakness maps to technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through unauthorized access to resources. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1566, representing a form of social engineering through technical exploitation where attackers leverage system flaws rather than social manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to version 1.4.1 or later, implementing additional input validation for message parameters, and conducting thorough access control audits to ensure no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the system's messaging infrastructure. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual message access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.