CVE-2012-0792 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
mod/forum/user.php in Moodle 1.9.x before 1.9.16 allows remote authenticated users to obtain the names and other details of arbitrary user accounts by searching for posts.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0792 affects Moodle version 1.9.x before 1.9.16 and resides within the mod/forum/user.php component of the learning management system. This issue represents a significant information disclosure flaw that undermines the privacy and security of user accounts within the platform. The vulnerability specifically impacts the forum module's user account search functionality, which was designed to allow users to view information about other participants in course discussions.
The technical flaw manifests through improper access controls within the user account search mechanism. When authenticated users interact with the forum module's user.php script, they can exploit a lack of proper authorization checks to enumerate user accounts by searching through posts. This occurs because the system does not adequately verify whether the requesting user has legitimate permission to access the detailed information of other accounts. The vulnerability essentially allows an attacker to perform user enumeration attacks by leveraging the forum post search functionality to discover valid usernames, email addresses, and potentially other identifying information about users within the system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses serious risks to the confidentiality of user data within Moodle installations. Attackers can systematically gather information about users in a course environment, potentially enabling social engineering attacks, targeted phishing campaigns, or further exploitation attempts. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure as it provides attackers with a method to identify valid user accounts that could be targeted through credential stuffing attacks or brute force attempts against other systems. This vulnerability particularly affects educational institutions that rely on Moodle for their learning management needs, as it exposes personal information about students, faculty, and staff members.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and represents a specific instance of improper access control in web applications. From an attacker's perspective, this issue maps to the MITRE ATT&CK technique T1087.001, which involves account discovery through the use of system commands or application features that reveal user accounts. The flaw demonstrates a classic case of insufficient authorization checking where the application fails to properly validate user permissions before exposing sensitive account information. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive access control measures that enforce proper authorization checks at all entry points, particularly within modules that handle user-related data. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to Moodle version 1.9.16 or later, which includes proper access control enforcement within the forum user search functionality, preventing unauthorized enumeration of user accounts through forum post searches.