CVE-2011-4307 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in mod/wiki/lang/en/wiki.php in Moodle 2.0.x before 2.0.5 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the section parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The CVE-2011-4307 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw in the Moodle learning management system that affects versions prior to 2.0.5 and 2.1.2. This vulnerability resides within the mod/wiki component of Moodle, specifically in the language file located at lang/en/wiki.php, making it a persistent security weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The flaw manifests when the section parameter is improperly handled during web page rendering, creating an avenue for malicious code injection that undermines the integrity of the educational platform.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which categorizes cross-site scripting as a code injection flaw where untrusted data is embedded into web pages without proper validation or sanitization. The vulnerability occurs because the application fails to adequately escape or filter user-supplied input from the section parameter before incorporating it into the HTML output. This allows attackers to inject malicious scripts that execute in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or unauthorized actions within the Moodle environment. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it affects the core wiki module functionality that many educational institutions rely upon for collaborative learning and documentation.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4307 extends beyond simple script injection, as it represents a significant threat to the security and privacy of educational communities using Moodle. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable attackers to manipulate wiki content, redirect users to malicious websites, or execute arbitrary code on behalf of legitimate users. The attack surface is broad since wiki modules are commonly used across educational institutions for student collaboration, course documentation, and knowledge sharing. Security researchers have documented similar attack patterns in the ATT&CK framework under the technique of web application attacks, where XSS vulnerabilities serve as entry points for more sophisticated compromise operations. Organizations could face data breaches, unauthorized modifications to educational content, or potential exploitation for phishing campaigns targeting students and faculty members.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Moodle installations to versions 2.0.5 or 2.1.2, which contain the necessary fixes for proper input sanitization. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including the use of Content Security Policy headers to limit script execution, and regular security audits of web applications to identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include user education about recognizing suspicious wiki content and implementing proper access controls within Moodle environments. Organizations should consider deploying web application firewalls as additional defense layers and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to prevent similar issues from emerging in other components of their educational technology infrastructure.