CVE-2019-10186 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE
A flaw was found in moodle before versions 3.7.1, 3.6.5, 3.5.7. A sesskey (CSRF) token was not being utilised by the XML loading/unloading admin tool.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-10186 represents a critical security flaw in Moodle learning management systems prior to specific version releases. This issue affects Moodle versions 3.7.1, 3.6.5, and 3.5.7, indicating a widespread problem that impacted multiple stable release branches. The flaw specifically relates to the XML loading and unloading administrative tool functionality within the platform, creating a significant vector for unauthorized administrative actions.
The technical core of this vulnerability lies in the improper implementation of session key validation mechanisms. The sesskey token, which serves as a crucial Cross-Site Request Forgery protection mechanism, was not being properly enforced during XML data import and export operations. This omission creates a condition where authenticated administrative users could be tricked into performing unintended actions through maliciously crafted XML files. The absence of CSRF token validation in this administrative context effectively removes a fundamental security control that should prevent unauthorized modifications to system configuration through XML-based operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability exposes Moodle installations to potential privilege escalation attacks where malicious actors could leverage the missing CSRF protection to execute administrative commands through XML files. The implications extend beyond simple data manipulation as the administrative XML tool often has access to system configuration settings, user management capabilities, and potentially sensitive data handling functions. This creates a pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to administrative controls and potentially compromise entire learning management systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in web applications. This classification emphasizes the fundamental nature of the flaw as a failure to implement proper request validation mechanisms. The attack vector typically involves social engineering techniques where administrators might be tricked into uploading malicious XML files through seemingly legitimate administrative processes. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the use of administrative tools to gain elevated system access.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to the patched versions 3.7.1, 3.6.5, or 3.5.7 as appropriate for their current Moodle deployment. Additional defensive measures should include monitoring administrative XML operations for unusual patterns, implementing network-level restrictions on XML file uploads, and conducting comprehensive security audits of administrative tool usage. The remediation process should also involve re-evaluating the security configuration of all administrative interfaces to ensure proper CSRF token validation mechanisms are in place across all administrative functions.