CVE-2014-0008 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
lib/adminlib.php in Moodle through 2.3.11, 2.4.x before 2.4.8, 2.5.x before 2.5.4, and 2.6.x before 2.6.1 logs cleartext passwords, which allows remote authenticated administrators to obtain sensitive information by reading the Config Changes Report.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0008 affects Moodle learning management systems across multiple versions including 2.3.11 and earlier, 2.4.x versions before 2.4.8, 2.5.x versions before 2.5.4, and 2.6.x versions before 2.6.1. This security flaw resides within the lib/adminlib.php file and represents a critical information disclosure vulnerability that compromises the confidentiality of sensitive authentication data. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of password information during system configuration changes, where cleartext passwords are inadvertently logged in the Config Changes Report, creating a significant security risk for organizations relying on Moodle for educational content management.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when authenticated administrators perform configuration changes within the Moodle system, specifically through the administrative interface. During these operations, the system logs configuration modifications to a report file, but fails to properly sanitize password fields before recording them in cleartext format. This flaw falls under the CWE-200 category of "Information Exposure" and represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and data protection. The cleartext logging mechanism creates an attack surface where any authenticated administrator with sufficient privileges can access the Config Changes Report and extract sensitive password information, effectively bypassing normal authentication mechanisms and creating a persistent security threat.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers with administrative access to escalate their privileges and maintain persistent access to the system. Remote authenticated administrators who have legitimate access to the Moodle system can exploit this vulnerability to obtain cleartext passwords for various system accounts, including database credentials, user accounts, and administrative access points. This vulnerability directly aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1078 technique of Valid Accounts, as it provides attackers with legitimate credentials that can be used for further system compromise. The exposure of cleartext passwords in system logs creates a significant risk for organizations, as these credentials can be used to access not only the Moodle system but potentially other interconnected systems where the same passwords may be reused.
Organizations affected by CVE-2014-0008 should implement immediate remediation measures including applying the official patches released by Moodle for the affected versions, which typically involve modifying the adminlib.php file to properly sanitize password fields before logging configuration changes. Additionally, system administrators should review and audit existing Config Changes Reports to identify any potential exposure of sensitive information. The implementation of proper access controls and least privilege principles becomes critical, ensuring that only necessary personnel have administrative access to the system. Security monitoring should include regular inspection of system logs for unusual configuration changes and implementation of automated alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing password rotation policies and multi-factor authentication to mitigate the impact of credential exposure, while adhering to security standards such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for information system security and privacy protection.