CVE-2012-2365 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in Moodle 2.0.x before 2.0.9, 2.1.x before 2.1.6, and 2.2.x before 2.2.3 allows remote authenticated users to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the idnumber field to cohort/edit.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2365 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Moodle learning management system that affects multiple version branches including 2.0.x before 2.0.9, 2.1.x before 2.1.6, and 2.2.x before 2.2.3. This vulnerability resides in the cohort management functionality of Moodle, specifically within the cohort/edit.php page where the idnumber field fails to properly sanitize user input. The flaw allows authenticated attackers to inject malicious web scripts or HTML content that can execute in the context of other users' browsers, creating a significant security risk for educational institutions relying on Moodle for their online learning platforms.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the cohort editing interface. When administrators or users with appropriate privileges attempt to modify cohort information through the idnumber field, the application fails to properly escape or filter special characters that could be interpreted as HTML or JavaScript code. This weakness directly maps to CWE-79 which defines Cross-Site Scripting as a condition where untrusted data is sent to a web browser without proper validation or encoding, allowing attackers to execute malicious scripts. The vulnerability operates under the principle that user-supplied data should never be trusted and must be rigorously sanitized before being processed or displayed within the application's user interface.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, potentially enabling attackers to perform various malicious activities including session hijacking, data theft, and unauthorized access to sensitive educational information. An authenticated attacker with access to the cohort management functionality could craft malicious payloads that would execute whenever other users view the affected cohort records, potentially compromising the entire Moodle instance's security posture. This vulnerability particularly affects educational institutions where Moodle is used for managing student cohorts, course groups, and user permissions, as the compromised sessions could lead to unauthorized access to student records, grades, and course materials. The attack vector requires only authenticated access to the system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by insiders or compromised legitimate accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2365 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Moodle versions to the latest stable releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation at multiple layers, output encoding for all user-supplied data, and regular security auditing of web applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework, particularly the techniques related to input validation and output encoding. Administrators should also consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block suspicious input patterns, while conducting regular security training for staff members to recognize potential social engineering attempts that might lead to credential compromise. The remediation process should include thorough testing of the patched environment to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the XSS vulnerability is properly addressed.