CVE-2024-3932 in LMS
Summary
by MITRE • 04/18/2024
A vulnerability classified as problematic has been found in Totara LMS 18.0.1 Build 20231128.01. This affects an unknown part. The manipulation leads to cross-site request forgery. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The identifier VDB-261369 was assigned to this vulnerability. NOTE: The vendor was contacted early about this disclosure but did not respond in any way.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-3932 represents a cross-site request forgery flaw within Totara LMS version 18.0.1 Build 20231128.01, a widely used learning management system platform. This classification places the issue within the realm of web application security weaknesses that can be exploited to perform unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users. The vulnerability's designation as problematic indicates a significant security risk that requires immediate attention from system administrators and security teams managing Totara LMS environments. The fact that this vulnerability has been publicly disclosed and is considered exploitable means that malicious actors have likely already developed or are developing attack vectors targeting this specific weakness.
The technical nature of this cross-site request forgery vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate and enforce the origin of HTTP requests. In a typical CSRF attack scenario, an attacker crafts malicious requests that appear to originate from a legitimate user who has authenticated with the Totara LMS system. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the application's behavior through carefully crafted requests that leverage the victim's existing authenticated session. The vulnerability affects an unknown part of the application, suggesting that the flaw may be present in core authentication handling mechanisms or in specific modules that process user requests without adequate CSRF token validation. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system or network to launch attacks, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in publicly accessible environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or manipulation, as it can enable attackers to perform critical administrative functions within the Totara LMS platform. An attacker who successfully exploits this CSRF vulnerability could potentially modify user permissions, create new user accounts, alter course content, or even delete important educational data. The vulnerability's presence in a learning management system creates additional risks for educational institutions, as compromised systems could lead to unauthorized access to student records, course materials, or administrative functions. Organizations using Totara LMS may face regulatory compliance issues if sensitive educational data becomes compromised through this vulnerability, particularly in environments subject to privacy regulations such as FERPA or GDPR. The lack of vendor response to early disclosure attempts compounds the risk, as organizations may not receive timely patches or mitigation guidance from the software vendor.
Security professionals should immediately implement defensive measures to protect against exploitation of this CSRF vulnerability, including deploying web application firewalls, implementing proper CSRF token validation mechanisms, and conducting comprehensive security assessments of their Totara LMS installations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-352, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Request Forgery weaknesses in software applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and persistence within web applications, potentially enabling attackers to establish long-term access to educational platforms. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring for suspicious authentication patterns, and establishing incident response procedures specifically tailored to address CSRF attacks in learning management systems. The public disclosure of this vulnerability through identifier VDB-261369 indicates that security researchers have already documented the issue, making it crucial for organizations to assess their exposure and implement appropriate mitigations without delay.