CVE-2011-4283 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle 1.9.x before 1.9.11 and 2.0.x before 2.0.2 places an IMS enterprise enrolment file in the course-files area, which allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a request for imsenterprise-enrol.xml.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4283 affects Moodle learning management systems version 1.9.x prior to 1.9.11 and 2.0.x prior to 2.0.2, representing a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines the security posture of educational institutions relying on this platform. This issue stems from improper file handling within the IMS enterprise enrolment functionality, where sensitive configuration files are inadvertently exposed in publicly accessible course directories rather than being properly secured within restricted server areas.
The technical flaw manifests through the placement of imsenterprise-enrol.xml files within the course-files directory structure, creating an attack vector that allows remote adversaries to directly access these files through simple HTTP requests. This misconfiguration exposes sensitive information including user credentials, authentication tokens, and potentially system configuration details that should remain protected within the server's internal processing areas. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-200, which defines information exposure through improper file access controls, and represents a classic example of insecure direct object reference where the system fails to validate access permissions before serving sensitive content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed IMS enterprise enrolment files contain critical authentication and user mapping information that could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts and potentially escalate privileges within the learning management system. Attackers could leverage this exposure to perform user enumeration, credential harvesting, and unauthorized enrollment activities that compromise the integrity of the entire educational platform. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and credential access, as compromised authentication information could be used to establish persistent access to the system.
Organizations utilizing affected Moodle versions face substantial risk of data breaches and unauthorized access to student and faculty information, particularly in environments where IMS enterprise integration is used for automated user provisioning and authentication. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target the system from anywhere on the internet without requiring physical access or prior authentication. System administrators should immediately implement the recommended patches for Moodle versions 1.9.11 and 2.0.2, which properly secure the imsenterprise-enrol.xml files and prevent their exposure in public directories. Additional mitigations include implementing proper access controls on the course-files directory, monitoring for unauthorized file access attempts, and conducting regular security audits to ensure no sensitive files are inadvertently exposed through similar misconfigurations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper file access control mechanisms and the potential consequences of inadequate security hardening in educational technology platforms.