CVE-2014-3546 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle through 2.3.11, 2.4.x before 2.4.11, 2.5.x before 2.5.7, 2.6.x before 2.6.4, and 2.7.x before 2.7.1 does not enforce certain capability requirements in (1) notes/index.php and (2) user/edit.php, which allows remote attackers to obtain potentially sensitive username and course information via a modified URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3546 affects Moodle learning management systems across multiple version ranges, specifically targeting versions through 2.3.11, 2.4.x before 2.4.11, 2.5.x before 2.5.7, 2.6.x before 2.6.4, and 2.7.x before 2.7.1. This issue represents a critical authorization bypass flaw that undermines the platform's access control mechanisms. The vulnerability manifests in two primary files: notes/index.php and user/edit.php, where the system fails to properly validate user capabilities before exposing sensitive information. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and insufficient privilege checks that should normally prevent unauthorized access to user and course data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper capability enforcement within Moodle's core functionality. When attackers manipulate URLs to access these specific endpoints, they can bypass the intended access controls that should restrict information disclosure based on user roles and permissions. This capability bypass allows remote attackers to gather potentially sensitive username information and course enrollment details through crafted URL modifications. The vulnerability operates at the application level, leveraging the system's failure to validate whether the requesting user possesses the appropriate permissions to view the targeted resources. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-284 category, which addresses improper access control, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1068 for local privilege escalation through unauthorized access to system resources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it enables attackers to construct comprehensive profiles of users and their course enrollments within the learning management system. This information can be leveraged for further attacks including credential harvesting, social engineering campaigns, or targeted phishing attempts against specific users. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Moodle for educational content delivery, potentially exposing student and faculty data to unauthorized parties. Attackers can systematically enumerate user accounts and course structures without requiring valid authentication credentials, making this a particularly dangerous flaw for educational institutions that store sensitive personal and academic information.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the available security patches for affected Moodle versions, which typically involve strengthening capability checks in the vulnerable files. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls and access control lists can provide additional defense in depth. Regular security audits should verify that all user capabilities are properly enforced throughout the system, with particular attention to endpoint validation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and capability-based access controls, aligning with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for access control and information flow protection. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual access patterns to user and course information, as well as regular security training for personnel who manage Moodle installations to prevent similar issues in the future.