CVE-2011-4585 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
login/change_password.php in Moodle 1.9.x before 1.9.15 does not use https for the change-password form even if the httpslogin option is enabled, which allows remote attackers to obtain credentials by sniffing the network.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-4585 affects Moodle version 1.9.x before 1.9.15 and specifically targets the login and change password functionality within the system. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the authentication mechanism that undermines the intended security measures implemented by administrators. The vulnerability occurs in the login/change_password.php file where the system fails to enforce secure communication protocols even when administrators have explicitly enabled the httpslogin option. This misconfiguration creates a dangerous scenario where sensitive authentication data can be intercepted during transmission, potentially compromising user accounts and system integrity.
The technical flaw stems from a failure in the application's protocol enforcement logic where the change password form does not dynamically switch to secure https connections despite the system configuration indicating that https should be used for login operations. This represents a direct violation of secure coding practices and protocol enforcement principles that should be implemented in any authentication system. The vulnerability allows attackers to perform man-in-the-middle attacks or packet sniffing operations to capture transmitted credentials without requiring any special privileges or advanced exploitation techniques. This flaw directly maps to CWE-319 - Cleartext Transmission of Sensitive Information, which specifically addresses the transmission of confidential data over insecure channels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, affecting both individual user accounts and organizational security posture. Remote attackers can easily capture login credentials during network transmission, potentially gaining unauthorized access to user accounts, administrative privileges, and sensitive educational data stored within Moodle systems. The vulnerability particularly affects institutions that rely on Moodle for learning management and administrative functions, as compromised credentials could lead to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to course content, and potential exposure of student information. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or specialized tools beyond basic network monitoring capabilities, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors.
The security implications extend beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader system compromise and data integrity concerns. When administrators enable the httpslogin option, they are explicitly configuring the system to enforce secure connections for authentication purposes, but this configuration is effectively ignored for password change operations. This inconsistency creates a false sense of security while leaving critical authentication paths vulnerable. Organizations using Moodle systems may experience unauthorized access to sensitive educational data, potential disruption of learning management services, and compliance violations related to data protection regulations. The vulnerability also undermines the trust model that users expect from secure educational platforms and can lead to significant reputational damage for institutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and configuration verification to ensure proper secure protocol enforcement. The most effective solution is to upgrade to Moodle 1.9.15 or later versions where this specific vulnerability has been addressed through proper implementation of secure protocol enforcement. System administrators should verify that all authentication-related forms properly enforce https connections when the httpslogin option is enabled, implementing proper redirect mechanisms to ensure that password change operations occur over secure channels. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and proper firewall configurations can provide additional layers of defense, though these should not replace proper application-level fixes. Security monitoring should include verification of secure protocol usage for all authentication operations, and regular security audits should ensure that configuration settings align with security policies. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that validate protocol enforcement across all authentication pathways, as documented in various security frameworks and attack patterns including those referenced in the MITRE ATT&CK framework for credential access techniques.