CVE-2018-1136 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In Moodle 3.x, a security flaw allows authenticated users to insert HTML blocks with scripts into their personal Dashboard, potentially exposing them to other users.

Understanding CVE-2018-1136

What is CVE-2018-1136?

An issue in Moodle 3.x enables authorized users to add HTML blocks containing scripts to their Dashboard, which can be moved to other pages, making them visible to other users.

The Impact of CVE-2018-1136

This vulnerability could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive information and potential security breaches within the Moodle platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-1136

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Moodle 3.x allows users to place HTML blocks with scripts on their Dashboard, which can be viewed by other users when moved to different pages.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moodle 3.x unknown
Vendor: n/a
Versions: Moodle 3.x unknown

Exploitation Mechanism

Users exploit this vulnerability by relocating the HTML blocks containing scripts from their personal Dashboard to other pages, exposing them to unintended viewers.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Moodle to the latest version to patch the security flaw.
Educate users on the risks of inserting scripts into HTML blocks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit user activities within Moodle to detect any unauthorized changes.
Implement strict access controls to limit users' ability to insert scripts into HTML blocks.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches and updates provided by Moodle to address this vulnerability.