CVE-2018-11195 : What You Need to Know

Mahara versions 17.04 before 17.04.8, 17.10 before 17.10.5, and 18.04 before 18.04.1 are vulnerable to a security issue known as the 'back and refresh' attack, potentially allowing unauthorized access to user credentials.

Understanding CVE-2018-11195

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mahara versions that could lead to the compromise of user login information.

What is CVE-2018-11195?

The 'back and refresh' attack on Mahara allows unauthorized individuals with physical access to a user's web browser post-login to potentially obtain the user's Mahara login details.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11195

This vulnerability could result in unauthorized access to sensitive user information stored in Mahara, posing a risk to user privacy and data security.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11195

Mahara's vulnerability to the 'back and refresh' attack has the following technical implications:

Vulnerability Description

The security flaw in Mahara versions enables malicious actors with physical access to a user's browser after login to potentially extract the user's Mahara login credentials.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions 17.04 to 17.04.8
Mahara versions 17.10 to 17.10.5
Mahara versions 18.04 to 18.04.1

Exploitation Mechanism

The exploit occurs when unauthorized individuals gain physical access to a Mahara user's web browser post-login, allowing them to retrieve the user's login information.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11195 and enhance security:

Immediate Steps to Take

Users should be cautious of physical access to their devices post-login.
Implement multi-factor authentication for an added layer of security.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Mahara to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on safe browsing practices and the importance of protecting login credentials.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Mahara promptly to mitigate the 'back and refresh' attack vulnerability.