CVE-2018-11196 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

Mahara versions 17.04 before 17.04.8, 17.10 before 17.10.5, and 18.04 before 18.04.1 are susceptible to virus transmission through infected files uploaded in Leap2A archives.

Understanding CVE-2018-11196

Viruses can be transmitted through Mahara versions by uploading infected files in Leap2A archives, bypassing ClamAV virus checks.

What is CVE-2018-11196?

Malicious files can be uploaded to Mahara via Leap2A archives, evading virus scans, and posing a risk to user computers.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11196

Users can unknowingly download infected files from Mahara, potentially compromising their systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11196

Mahara versions are vulnerable to virus transmission through a specific file upload method.

Vulnerability Description

Leap2A archives in Mahara allow the upload of infected files without virus scanning, enabling the distribution of malicious content.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions 17.04 to 17.04.8, 17.10 to 17.10.5, and 18.04 to 18.04.1 are impacted.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can place infected files in Leap2A archives and upload them to Mahara, bypassing virus checks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Steps to secure systems and prevent virus transmission in Mahara.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Mahara to the latest version to patch the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of downloading files from untrusted sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly scan uploaded files for viruses using reliable antivirus software.
Implement strict file upload policies to prevent the upload of potentially harmful files.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by Mahara to address the vulnerability.