CVE-2016-7919 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
Moodle 3.1.2 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors, related to a "SQL Injection" issue affecting the Administration panel function in the installation process component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7919 represents a critical security flaw in Moodle version 3.1.2 that exposes the platform to remote information disclosure attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the Administration panel function within the installation process component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to extract sensitive data from the system. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing it within database queries. Security researchers have classified this as a SQL injection vulnerability, which falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-89, representing improper neutralization of special elements used in an SQL command. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data theft as it provides attackers with access to critical system information that could be leveraged for further exploitation. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates through the installation process component, which typically requires elevated privileges and access to administrative functions, making it a prime target for sophisticated adversaries seeking to compromise entire learning management systems.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves attackers crafting malicious input that bypasses normal validation checks within the Moodle administration interface. When the system processes these malformed inputs through database queries, the SQL injection occurs, allowing unauthorized data retrieval from the underlying database. This particular flaw affects the installation process component, which suggests that the vulnerability may be exploitable during system setup or configuration phases, potentially providing attackers with access to database credentials, user information, or other sensitive administrative data. The unspecified vectors indicate that multiple input points within the administration panel could be compromised, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent. According to the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with the T1213 technique for Data from Information Repositories, where adversaries extract sensitive data through database access methods. The SQL injection aspect of this vulnerability also corresponds to T1071.005 for Application Layer Protocol: Web Protocols, as it exploits web-based application interfaces to manipulate database operations. The complexity of exploitation increases when considering that the vulnerability affects the installation process, which often involves privileged operations and may not be regularly monitored for unusual activity.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7919 extends far beyond immediate data theft, as compromised Moodle installations could lead to complete system takeover and unauthorized access to educational content, user credentials, and institutional data. Organizations utilizing Moodle for learning management, course delivery, and student information systems face significant risk of exposure to unauthorized parties who could access sensitive academic data, personal information of students and staff, or institutional intellectual property. The vulnerability's presence in the administration panel component particularly threatens the integrity of the entire system, as administrative functions typically control access permissions, user management, and system configuration settings. Attackers could potentially escalate privileges through this vulnerability, leading to full system compromise and persistent access to the platform. The exploitation of this vulnerability could result in compliance violations under various data protection regulations, including but not limited to GDPR, FERPA, or similar privacy frameworks that govern educational data handling. Organizations may experience reputational damage, regulatory penalties, and potential legal consequences from data breaches resulting from this vulnerability. The impact is further amplified by the fact that Moodle is widely used in educational institutions globally, meaning that a successful exploitation could affect thousands of users and potentially compromise entire academic networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7919 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Moodle installations to version 3.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes for the SQL injection vulnerability. Organizations must implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms and parameterized queries to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future, aligning with the principle of least privilege and secure coding practices. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous database access patterns, particularly during installation and configuration phases, as these periods often present the highest risk for exploitation. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their Moodle installations and implement proper access controls for administrative functions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access sensitive system components. The implementation of web application firewalls and database activity monitoring tools can provide additional layers of protection against SQL injection attacks. Organizations should also establish incident response procedures specifically designed to handle database-related security incidents, including forensic analysis capabilities to determine the full scope of any potential compromise. Regular security training for administrators and developers on secure coding practices, including proper input sanitization and SQL query construction, remains essential for preventing similar vulnerabilities in future releases. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date security patches and following the vendor's security advisories ensures that known vulnerabilities are addressed promptly, reducing the risk of exploitation through well-documented attack vectors.