CVE-2014-7848 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
lib/phpunit/bootstrap.php in Moodle 2.6.x before 2.6.6 and 2.7.x before 2.7.3 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via a direct request, which reveals the full path in an error message.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-7848 affects Moodle learning management systems version 2.6.x before 2.6.6 and 2.7.x before 2.7.3, specifically within the lib/phpunit/bootstrap.php file. This issue represents a classic path disclosure vulnerability that exposes sensitive system information to remote attackers through improper error handling mechanisms. The flaw occurs when a direct request is made to the bootstrap.php file, resulting in error messages that reveal the complete server path where Moodle is installed. Such information disclosure vulnerabilities fall under CWE-209, which specifically addresses error messages containing sensitive information, and are categorized as information leakage in security frameworks. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental weakness in the application's error handling design where system paths are inadvertently exposed during error conditions rather than being properly sanitized or suppressed.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the lack of proper input validation and error management within the PHPUnit bootstrap process of Moodle. When an unauthorized direct request is made to the bootstrap.php file, the system fails to implement adequate security measures to prevent path exposure in error messages. This occurs because the application does not properly filter or sanitize error output that would normally be suppressed in production environments. The error messages generated by the system contain complete file paths that can be leveraged by attackers to understand the underlying server structure, potentially enabling further exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1083, which involves discovering system information through path traversal and file system enumeration techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the exposed paths can serve as a foundation for more sophisticated attacks. Attackers can use the revealed directory structures to plan targeted attacks against specific files or directories, potentially leading to privilege escalation or other security breaches. The vulnerability affects the integrity of the system's security posture by providing attackers with knowledge of the application's internal structure that should remain confidential. Organizations using affected Moodle versions face increased risk of targeted attacks, as the disclosed information removes a layer of security through obscurity that might otherwise protect against certain attack vectors. This type of information disclosure can also violate security compliance requirements that mandate protection of system information from unauthorized access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-7848 should focus on immediate patching of affected Moodle installations to versions 2.6.6 or 2.7.3 and later, which contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement proper error handling mechanisms that prevent path disclosure in error messages, ensuring that all error outputs are sanitized and do not reveal system-specific information. Configuration reviews should verify that the application runs in production mode where detailed error messages are suppressed and logged securely rather than displayed to users. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block direct requests to sensitive bootstrap files, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect unusual access patterns to system files. Security hardening practices should also include regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar path disclosure issues within the application stack. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and proper error handling as fundamental security controls that prevent information leakage and maintain system confidentiality.