CVE-2012-1157 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle before 2.2.2 has a default repository capabilities issue where all repositories are viewable by all users by default
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1157 affects Moodle versions prior to 2.2.2 and represents a critical access control flaw in the platform's repository management system. This issue stems from improper default configuration where all repository capabilities are exposed to every user within the system without adequate authorization checks. The flaw exists in the core repository subsystem that manages file storage and access across the learning management platform, creating a significant security risk for educational institutions relying on Moodle for their digital learning environments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the default repository configuration logic where the system fails to enforce proper access controls during repository initialization. When Moodle initializes repository connections, it does not properly validate user permissions against repository capabilities, allowing any authenticated user to access repositories that should be restricted to specific roles or groups. This misconfiguration creates a privilege escalation vector where users can potentially access files and resources they should not be authorized to view, violating fundamental security principles of least privilege and access control.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it fundamentally compromises the integrity of the Moodle platform's security model. Attackers can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to repository contents, potentially including sensitive student data, course materials, and administrative files stored in various repository types such as file systems, cloud storage services, or external file servers. The default nature of this vulnerability means that installations are inherently insecure until manually configured, creating widespread exposure across educational institutions that may not regularly update their systems or perform security audits.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including manual configuration of repository access controls, review of existing repository permissions, and implementation of proper role-based access controls. The fix involves ensuring that repository capabilities are properly restricted based on user roles and that default configurations do not expose all repositories to all users. Security practitioners should also consider implementing network-level controls and monitoring for unauthorized repository access attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should be maintained throughout all system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this issue under privilege escalation and credential access techniques, as it allows unauthorized users to gain access to resources they should not normally be able to reach. Organizations should prioritize updating to Moodle 2.2.2 or later versions to remediate this vulnerability and ensure proper repository access controls are enforced.