CVE-2020-36633 in moodle-block_sitenews
Summary
by MITRE • 12/27/2022
A vulnerability was found in moodle-block_sitenews 1.0. It has been classified as problematic. This affects the function get_content of the file block_sitenews.php. The manipulation leads to cross-site request forgery. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. Upgrading to version 1.1 is able to address this issue. The name of the patch is cd18d8b1afe464ae6626832496f4e070bac4c58f. It is recommended to upgrade the affected component. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-216879.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-36633 represents a cross-site request forgery flaw within the moodle-block_sitenews plugin version 1.0. This issue resides in the get_content function of the block_sitenews.php file, where insufficient validation mechanisms fail to properly authenticate and verify the origin of incoming requests. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and specifically targets the Moodle learning management system's block functionality, creating a potential attack vector that allows malicious actors to manipulate the system through forged requests. The flaw has been categorized as problematic by security analysts due to its ability to enable unauthorized actions within the Moodle environment without proper user consent or authentication.
The technical implementation of this CSRF vulnerability stems from the absence of proper request validation mechanisms within the get_content function. When the plugin processes requests to display site news content, it fails to verify the authenticity of the request source, allowing attackers to craft malicious requests that appear legitimate to the Moodle system. This weakness enables attackers to perform unauthorized operations such as modifying news content, deleting entries, or potentially executing other administrative functions within the context of an authenticated user session. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can initiate attacks from external systems without requiring physical access to the Moodle server or local network presence.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data manipulation, potentially compromising the integrity of institutional information systems that rely on Moodle for educational content management. Attackers could exploit this flaw to inject malicious content into site news blocks, potentially spreading phishing attacks or malicious links to unsuspecting users within the Moodle environment. The implications are particularly concerning for educational institutions where Moodle serves as a central platform for course management, communication, and content distribution. The vulnerability could also facilitate more sophisticated attacks by serving as a foothold for further exploitation, potentially leading to privilege escalation or data breaches within the broader Moodle ecosystem.
Security professionals should prioritize immediate remediation of this vulnerability through the recommended upgrade to version 1.1, which includes the patch identified by the commit hash cd18d8b1afe464ae6626832496f4e070bac4c58f. This upgrade addresses the core validation issues within the get_content function by implementing proper CSRF token verification mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as web application firewalls, monitoring for suspicious request patterns, and regular security assessments of Moodle plugins to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging. The mitigation strategy should align with industry best practices for CSRF protection as outlined in CWE-352 and ATT&CK techniques related to web application exploitation, ensuring comprehensive defense against this class of vulnerability.
The presence of this vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches for learning management systems and their components. Educational institutions and organizations relying on Moodle should establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates, particularly for third-party plugins that may contain unaddressed security flaws. Regular security audits of installed plugins and components should be conducted to identify potential vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability also highlights the need for developers and administrators to implement proper input validation and authentication checks in all application components, particularly those handling user-generated content or administrative functions.