CVE-2013-2245 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
rss/file.php in Moodle through 2.1.10, 2.2.x before 2.2.11, 2.3.x before 2.3.8, 2.4.x before 2.4.5, and 2.5.x before 2.5.1 does not properly implement the use of RSS tokens for impersonation, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive block information by reading an RSS feed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-2245 affects Moodle learning management systems across multiple versions including 2.1.10 and earlier, 2.2.x versions before 2.2.11, 2.3.x versions before 2.3.8, 2.4.x versions before 2.4.5, and 2.5.x versions before 2.5.1. This security flaw resides in the rss/file.php component of the platform, specifically concerning how RSS tokens are implemented for user impersonation purposes. The vulnerability represents a significant security weakness that undermines the authentication and authorization mechanisms within the Moodle framework.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper implementation of RSS token handling which creates a pathway for authenticated users to exploit the system's access controls. When users access RSS feeds through the vulnerable file.php script, the system fails to adequately verify the legitimacy of the RSS token being used. This weakness allows malicious actors who have valid authentication credentials to manipulate the RSS token parameters and gain unauthorized access to sensitive block information that should normally be restricted to specific user roles or permissions. The vulnerability essentially enables privilege escalation through the exploitation of the RSS feed functionality.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive block information that may contain confidential data about course structures, user permissions, or system configurations. This access to block information could potentially reveal system architecture details, user access patterns, or administrative privileges that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality aspect of the CIA triad by enabling unauthorized information disclosure, while also potentially compromising the integrity of the system through the manipulation of access controls. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-284 Access Control Issues, specifically related to insufficient access control mechanisms.
The security implications extend beyond simple information disclosure as the vulnerability could enable attackers to gather intelligence about the Moodle system's internal structure and user access patterns. This reconnaissance capability could facilitate more sophisticated attacks targeting other system components or user accounts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and reconnaissance activities, potentially enabling adversaries to move laterally within the system or maintain persistent access through the exploitation of weak access control mechanisms. The vulnerability essentially creates a backdoor through which authenticated users can bypass normal access restrictions and gain access to information they should not be authorized to view.
Organizations using affected Moodle versions should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the patched versions, reviewing and strengthening access controls for RSS feed functionality, and monitoring user activities related to RSS feed access. The recommended remediation involves applying the vendor patches that address the improper RSS token implementation and ensure proper authentication verification. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing network-level controls to limit access to RSS feed endpoints and establish monitoring protocols to detect unusual access patterns or potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper access control implementation in web applications and demonstrates how seemingly minor flaws in authentication mechanisms can lead to significant security breaches.