CVE-2018-1135 : What You Need to Know

A problem has been identified in Moodle 3.x where students who make forum posts and export them to portfolios have the ability to download any stored Moodle file by modifying the download URL.

Understanding CVE-2018-1135

An issue was discovered in Moodle 3.x. Students who posted on forums and exported the posts to portfolios can download any stored Moodle file by changing the download URL.

What is CVE-2018-1135?

The CVE-2018-1135 vulnerability in Moodle 3.x allows students to access any stored Moodle file by manipulating the download URL.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1135

This vulnerability enables unauthorized access to Moodle files, potentially compromising sensitive information stored within the system.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1135

Vulnerability Description

Type: Incorrect access control
Students exporting forum posts to portfolios can download any Moodle file by altering the download URL.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moodle 3.x unknown
Version: Moodle 3.x unknown

Exploitation Mechanism

Students with forum post export privileges can exploit the vulnerability by modifying the download URL to access any Moodle file.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Monitor and restrict student access to forum post exports and file downloads.
Implement access controls to prevent unauthorized downloads.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Moodle to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Educate users on secure practices to prevent unauthorized access to files.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Moodle to address the vulnerability and enhance system security.