CVE-2024-51142 in LMS
Summary
by MITRE • 11/15/2024
Cross Site Scripting vulnerability in Chamilo LMS v.1.11.26 allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code via the svkey parameter of the storageapi.php file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/26/2025
The Cross Site Scripting vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-51142 affects Chamilo Learning Management System version 1.11.26 and represents a critical security flaw that enables attackers to inject malicious scripts into web applications. This vulnerability specifically targets the storageapi.php file where the svkey parameter is improperly validated, creating an avenue for persistent cross-site scripting attacks that can compromise user sessions and execute unauthorized commands within the context of the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input sanitization and output encoding mechanisms within the Chamilo LMS application. When the svkey parameter is processed through the storageapi.php endpoint, the application fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This flaw aligns with CWE-79 which categorizes cross-site scripting vulnerabilities as weaknesses in input validation and output encoding. The vulnerability allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript code that executes in the browser of unsuspecting users, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized administrative actions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it provides attackers with a persistent foothold within the learning management system. An attacker can craft malicious payloads that exploit the svkey parameter to execute arbitrary code within the context of the victim's browser session, potentially escalating privileges or gaining access to sensitive educational data. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also institutional data integrity, as compromised sessions could lead to unauthorized modifications of course content, user accounts, or administrative settings. This represents a significant concern for educational institutions that rely on Chamilo LMS for managing student records, course materials, and communication systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-51142 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected Chamilo LMS version with the latest security updates from the vendor. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation mechanisms that sanitize all parameters passed to the storageapi.php endpoint, including the svkey parameter, through proper encoding and validation techniques. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to detect and block malicious requests targeting this vulnerability. Security teams should also conduct thorough penetration testing and code reviews to identify similar input validation weaknesses within the application's codebase, particularly focusing on parameter handling in API endpoints and file processing functions. The remediation process should align with ATT&CK framework tactics related to defense evasion and command and control, as attackers may attempt to establish persistent access through XSS vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to maintain ongoing protection against similar cross-site scripting threats that may emerge in the application's ecosystem.