CVE-2012-1158 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle before 2.2.2 has a course information leak in gradebook where users are able to see hidden grade items in export
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-1158 represents a critical information disclosure issue within the Moodle learning management system affecting versions prior to 2.2.2. This flaw exists within the gradebook functionality where unauthorized users can access grade information that should remain hidden from specific user roles. The vulnerability specifically impacts the export capabilities of the gradebook system, allowing malicious actors or unauthorized users to retrieve grade data that has been deliberately concealed from certain users within the course environment.
This security flaw stems from inadequate access control mechanisms within the Moodle gradebook export functionality. When users attempt to export grade information, the system fails to properly validate whether the requesting user has appropriate permissions to view all grade items contained within the export. The technical implementation does not sufficiently enforce the visibility settings that administrators have configured for individual grade items, thereby allowing users to bypass intended access restrictions. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and proper access control enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can lead to significant academic integrity concerns and potential privacy violations. Users who should not have access to certain grade information, such as students viewing grades of other students or unauthorized personnel accessing confidential grade data, can exploit this flaw to gain unauthorized insights into course performance metrics. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad, as sensitive academic information becomes accessible to individuals who should not possess such knowledge. This could particularly impact situations where grade information is used for decision-making processes or where privacy regulations require strict control over academic data access.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which describes improper output neutralization for logs, and CWE-284, which addresses improper access control. The issue demonstrates how inadequate input validation and access control enforcement can create pathways for unauthorized data access. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1005, where adversaries collect data from network devices, and T1068, which involves exploit for privilege escalation. Organizations using Moodle should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 2.2.2 or later, reviewing grade item visibility settings, and conducting security audits of export functionalities. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and monitoring for unusual export activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation in educational platforms where sensitive user data is processed and stored, emphasizing the need for regular security assessments and timely patch management to prevent unauthorized access to academic information systems.