CVE-2010-1613: Moodle Session Fixation Vulnerability
Summary
CVE-2010-1613: Moodle Session Fixation vulnerability. Affects moodle/moodle versions >= 1.8.0, < 1.9.8. Fixed in 1.9.8. How to fix ↓
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Background
Moodle is an open-source learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators, and learners with a single robust, secure, and integrated system to create personalized learning environments. It supports various features such as course management, user management, and activity tracking. However, versions 1.8.x and 1.9.x before 1.9.8 have a critical security flaw related to session management, making them susceptible to session fixation attacks.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from Moodle's default configuration, which does not enable the 'Regenerate session id during login' setting. This oversight allows remote attackers to exploit the session fixation vulnerability, potentially hijacking user sessions. By manipulating session IDs, attackers can gain unauthorized access to user accounts, leading to data breaches and compromised user privacy.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
1.9.8
This is the first release that contains the fix.
composer require moodle/moodle:1.9.8Tip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
As a temporary workaround, you can manually enable the 'Regenerate session id during login' setting in Moodle's configuration. This can be done by navigating to the site administration settings and adjusting the session management options to enhance security until you can update to the latest version.
Conclusion
The Moodle session fixation vulnerability (CVE-2010-1613) poses a significant risk to users of versions 1.8.x and 1.9.x prior to 1.9.8. It is essential to update to the latest version or enable specific settings to protect against potential attacks. Utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for moodle/moodle →
FAQ
A session fixation attack occurs when an attacker sets a user's session ID to a known value, allowing them to hijack the session once the user logs in.
If you are using Moodle versions 1.8.x or 1.9.x prior to 1.9.8, your installation is vulnerable. You can also use Vulert's playground to check for vulnerabilities without signing up.
If exploited, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized access to user accounts, data breaches, and potential misuse of sensitive information.
Yes, you can use Vulert, which monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in real-time using just the composer.lock file.
If an immediate update is not possible, ensure that the 'Regenerate session id during login' setting is enabled to mitigate risks until you can apply the update.
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