CVE-2014-7845 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
The generate_password function in Moodle through 2.4.11, 2.5.x before 2.5.9, 2.6.x before 2.6.6, and 2.7.x before 2.7.3 does not provide a sufficient number of possible temporary passwords, which allows remote attackers to obtain access via a brute-force attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7845 affects Moodle versions through 2.4.11, 2.5.x before 2.5.9, 2.6.x before 2.6.6, and 2.7.x before 2.7.3, specifically within the generate_password function. This weakness represents a significant security flaw that undermines the system's ability to create robust temporary passwords for user authentication. The issue stems from insufficient entropy in the password generation algorithm, which directly impacts the cryptographic strength of the temporary credentials issued by the platform. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-338, which deals with weak random number generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1110.003 for credential access through brute force attacks. Organizations using affected Moodle versions face a heightened risk of unauthorized access as attackers can systematically guess temporary passwords through brute-force methodologies.
The technical implementation flaw lies in the generate_password function's inability to produce sufficiently random and complex temporary passwords. This weakness creates a predictable password space that significantly reduces the time and computational resources required for successful brute-force attacks. The insufficient number of possible password combinations means that attackers can enumerate potential passwords within reasonable timeframes, particularly when targeting specific user accounts or when the system generates passwords for multiple users in sequence. The vulnerability essentially provides attackers with a reduced search space for password discovery, making automated attack tools highly effective against the system. This weakness directly violates security best practices for temporary credential generation and represents a failure in the system's cryptographic implementation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to encompass broader security implications for educational institutions and organizations relying on Moodle for learning management. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized modifications to course content, and compromise of sensitive student information. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where Moodle serves as the primary authentication platform for educational content and administrative systems. Organizations may experience unauthorized access to grade databases, course materials, and user communications, all of which constitute significant security incidents. The risk is amplified in scenarios where users reuse passwords across multiple systems or where the temporary passwords are used as initial credentials that are subsequently changed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7845 require immediate action to address the root cause through software updates and configuration adjustments. The primary and most effective solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Moodle that contain properly implemented password generation functions with sufficient entropy. Organizations should implement additional security measures including account lockout mechanisms, failed login attempt monitoring, and rate limiting to prevent automated brute-force attacks. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and firewall rules can help detect and block suspicious authentication attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing multi-factor authentication as a compensating control to reduce the risk of unauthorized access even if temporary passwords are compromised. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper random number generation in cryptographic functions and highlights the need for regular security assessments of authentication mechanisms. Organizations must also review their password policies and ensure that temporary credentials are properly managed and monitored for potential compromise.