CVE-2026-102578 in Moodle
Summary
by MITRE • 09/30/2026
A flaw was found in Moodle. An authenticated attacker with access to the question bank web service can submit unsanitized input directly into database queries, resulting in a SQL (Structured Query Language) injection vulnerability. This issue could allow an attacker to view, alter, or delete sensitive data stored in the underlying database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/30/2026
The identified vulnerability represents a critical security flaw within the Moodle learning management system, specifically targeting the question bank web service interface. As an authenticated user with access to this specific module, an adversary can exploit improper input validation mechanisms to inject malicious SQL commands directly into backend database queries. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-89, which denotes Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an SQL Command, commonly known as SQL Injection. The root cause lies in the failure of the application to properly sanitize or parameterize user-supplied data before it is processed by the underlying relational database management system. By bypassing expected input constraints, the attacker manipulates the logical structure of the query, allowing for unauthorized execution of arbitrary SQL statements against the database schema.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential to compromise the integrity and confidentiality of the entire platform's data repository. Since Moodle typically stores sensitive information including user credentials, personal identifiable information, course content, and assessment results, an attacker with successful injection capabilities can perform a wide range of malicious actions. These include extracting confidential records through union-based or error-based extraction techniques, modifying existing entries to alter grades or enrollments, and deleting critical data which could lead to service disruption or loss of educational assets. The ability to view sensitive data violates the core principles of confidentiality, while altering or deleting data compromises integrity, potentially undermining the academic validity of the institution using the platform.
From a tactical perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically when used in conjunction with database interaction techniques such as T1213 Data from Information Repositories or T1078 Valid Accounts if the attacker leverages compromised credentials to gain initial access. The exploitation path typically involves crafting specific HTTP requests that contain encoded SQL payloads within parameters passed to the question bank web service endpoints. Successful exploitation requires authentication, which limits the attack surface to registered users but does not mitigate the severity of the data exposure once inside the system perimeter.
Mitigation strategies must focus on immediate patching and long-term defensive coding practices. Administrators should apply the latest security updates provided by Moodle that address this specific flaw in the question bank web service logic. In addition to software patches, implementing strict input validation at both the application layer and database driver level is essential. Developers should enforce parameterized queries or prepared statements for all database interactions involving user-supplied data, ensuring that inputs are treated strictly as data rather than executable code. Furthermore, deploying a Web Application Firewall can provide an additional layer of defense by detecting and blocking common SQL injection patterns in network traffic before they reach the application server. Regular security audits and penetration testing focused on web service endpoints will help identify similar vulnerabilities across other modules within the system.