CVE-2011-4281 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities in Moodle 2.0.x before 2.0.2 allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users for requests that mark the completion of (1) an activity or (2) a course.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The CVE-2011-4281 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site request forgery flaw discovered in Moodle version 2.0.x prior to 2.0.2, specifically affecting the course and activity completion tracking mechanisms within the learning management system. This vulnerability resides in the core authentication and authorization framework of Moodle, where the system fails to properly validate the origin of requests that modify user course progress or activity completion statuses. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially crafted web requests that can be executed without the knowledge or consent of authenticated users, effectively allowing unauthorized modification of course completion data. This issue stems from insufficient CSRF token validation mechanisms within the affected Moodle versions, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate user sessions and alter academic records. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it directly impacts the integrity of learning management data, potentially allowing attackers to mark courses or activities as complete for users without their authorization. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. The attack vector typically involves the delivery of malicious payloads through phishing emails, compromised websites, or social engineering tactics where users unknowingly trigger the forged requests while authenticated to their Moodle sessions. The operational impact extends beyond simple data manipulation, as these forged requests can compromise the academic integrity of entire course cohorts and potentially affect grading systems, certification processes, and student progress tracking. The vulnerability directly violates the principle of least privilege and session integrity, as it allows unauthorized modification of user-specific course data that should only be changeable through legitimate authenticated interactions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with T1566, which covers Social Engineering techniques, and T1078, which addresses Valid Accounts usage, as attackers exploit legitimate user sessions to perform unauthorized actions. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in significant academic fraud, where students might be marked as complete in courses they never actually completed, potentially affecting their academic records and future educational opportunities. Organizations using affected Moodle versions face risks of data corruption, compromised academic integrity, and potential regulatory compliance issues in educational environments where course completion tracking is critical for accreditation and certification purposes. The security implications extend to the broader educational ecosystem, as compromised course completion data can affect institutional reporting, financial aid eligibility, and academic credentialing processes. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and session management in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive user data and academic records. Remediation requires immediate patching of affected Moodle installations to version 2.0.2 or later, which implements proper CSRF token validation mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing additional security controls such as enhanced session management, regular security audits, and user education regarding the risks of clicking suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites while authenticated to learning management systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust security practices in educational technology platforms that handle sensitive user data and academic records, emphasizing the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in maintaining the integrity of learning management systems.