CVE-2016-0725 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the search_pagination function in course/classes/management_renderer.php in Moodle 2.8.x before 2.8.10, 2.9.x before 2.9.4, and 3.0.x before 3.0.2 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via a crafted search string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/08/2022
The CVE-2016-0725 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the Moodle learning management system that affects multiple version branches including 2.8.x through 2.8.9, 2.9.x through 2.9.3, and 3.0.x through 3.0.1. This vulnerability resides in the search_pagination function located within the course/classes/management_renderer.php file, making it a server-side rendering issue that can be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication. The flaw specifically manifests when the system processes search queries through the course management interface, where user input is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users in the pagination controls. This vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which categorizes it as a Cross-Site Scripting attack, representing one of the most prevalent and dangerous web application security flaws in the industry.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious search string containing embedded script code that gets processed by the search_pagination function. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the Moodle codebase, particularly in how search parameters are handled during pagination operations. When legitimate users navigate through paginated search results, the malicious script code gets executed in their browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages the legitimate search functionality that users frequently employ, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious input. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1566, specifically targeting the exploitation of web application vulnerabilities through malicious input manipulation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0725 extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a range of malicious activities within the context of affected Moodle installations. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access to user sessions, data exfiltration, and potential privilege escalation within the learning management system. The vulnerability affects all users who interact with the course management search functionality, including administrators, instructors, and students, creating a broad attack surface. Organizations using affected Moodle versions face significant risks including compromised user privacy, unauthorized course modifications, and potential data breaches that could expose sensitive educational information. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple major version branches indicates a systemic issue in the codebase's input sanitization practices, requiring immediate attention from system administrators and security teams. The impact is particularly severe in educational environments where Moodle systems often contain sensitive student data, personal information, and academic records that could be targeted by malicious actors seeking to exploit this weakness. Security professionals should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing additional input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.