CVE-2017-2641 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
In Moodle 2.x and 3.x, SQL injection can occur via user preferences.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2641 represents a critical SQL injection flaw affecting Moodle versions 2.x and 3.x that resides within the user preferences handling mechanism. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization processes that fail to properly escape or parameterize user-supplied data before incorporating it into database queries. The flaw specifically manifests when Moodle processes user preference settings, which are typically managed through the web interface and stored in the database. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input within user preference parameters that gets directly embedded into SQL statements without proper sanitization, potentially allowing full database access and manipulation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent weakness involving the improper handling of untrusted data within SQL commands. The attack vector typically involves an authenticated user session where malicious input is submitted through preference settings that are then processed by the application's backend database layer. This vulnerability operates under the principle of code injection where user-controllable data flows directly into SQL execution contexts, bypassing standard security controls. The flaw's impact is particularly severe because user preferences are often accessed frequently and may contain sensitive configuration data that could be leveraged to escalate privileges or extract confidential information from the Moodle instance's database.
The operational consequences of CVE-2017-2641 extend beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to the entire Moodle database system. This includes the potential to modify user accounts, escalate privileges to administrator level access, manipulate course content, and access sensitive personal information of students and faculty members. The vulnerability's presence in both Moodle 2.x and 3.x versions indicates a widespread exposure across multiple generations of the platform, affecting institutions that have not yet upgraded to patched versions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to several ATT&CK techniques including credential access through database credential theft and privilege escalation via database manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2641 require immediate implementation of security patches provided by Moodle developers, as the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and parameterized query execution. Organizations should implement comprehensive database access controls and monitor for unauthorized database queries or unusual access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit potential lateral movement within the database infrastructure. Regular security audits of user preference handling mechanisms and input validation routines should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components. Additionally, implementing proper logging and monitoring of database activities can help detect exploitation attempts and provide forensic evidence for incident response activities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing robust input sanitization practices throughout all application layers to prevent similar injection attacks.