CVE-2011-4298: Moodle Cross-Site Request Forgery Vulnerability in Wiki Component
Summary
CVE-2011-4298: Moodle vulnerable to Cross-Site Request Forgery. Affects moodle/moodle across 2 version ranges.
>= 2.0.0, < 2.0.5
>= 2.1.0, < 2.1.2
Fixed in 2.0.5 or 2.1.2, depending on the release line you run. How to fix ↓
Check if this vulnerability affects your application
Upload a manifest or SBOM and we'll show whether you're affected, plus every other risky package in the same scan.
No signup required · Results in about 60 seconds
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. The platform supports various functionalities, including course management, user enrollment, and collaborative tools. However, certain versions of Moodle are susceptible to Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities, particularly in the mod/wiki components, which can lead to unauthorized actions being performed on behalf of authenticated users.
Vulnerability Detail
Multiple cross-site request forgery (CSRF) vulnerabilities exist in the mod/wiki components of Moodle versions 2.0.x before 2.0.5 and 2.1.x before 2.1.2. These vulnerabilities allow remote attackers to hijack the authentication of arbitrary users, enabling them to perform unauthorized requests that can modify wiki data. The origin of this vulnerability lies in the lack of proper validation for requests, making it possible for attackers to exploit the trust that a web application has in the user's browser.
How To Fix
Fixed versions by release line
The minimum fixed version depends on the release line you run.
-
>= 2.0.0, < 2.0.52.0.5composer require moodle/moodle:2.0.5 -
>= 2.1.0, < 2.1.22.1.2composer require moodle/moodle:2.1.2
Tip — Not sure which release line you're on? Vulert can find the fix for the version you are using. Scan free →
Workaround
If immediate upgrading is not feasible, consider implementing CSRF tokens in your forms to mitigate the risk of CSRF attacks. This involves generating a unique token for each user session and validating it with each request that modifies data.
Conclusion
In summary, the CSRF vulnerabilities in Moodle's mod/wiki components pose a significant risk to users, allowing attackers to hijack authenticated sessions and modify data. It is crucial to update to the latest patched versions to mitigate these risks effectively. Additionally, utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and alert for such vulnerabilities in real-time.
See every vulnerability recorded for moodle/moodle →
FAQ
CSRF is a type of attack that tricks the victim into submitting a request that they did not intend to make, potentially leading to unauthorized actions on a web application.
You can check if your application is affected by this vulnerability using Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner, which analyzes your composer.lock file for known vulnerabilities.
If exploited, attackers can modify wiki data on behalf of authenticated users, leading to data corruption, unauthorized access, or loss of integrity in the application.
Yes, implementing CSRF tokens in forms and ensuring proper validation of requests can significantly reduce the risk of CSRF attacks.
If an immediate upgrade is not possible, consider applying workarounds such as implementing CSRF tokens and reviewing user permissions to limit exposure.
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for moodle/moodle.
