CVE-2018-11565 : What You Need to Know

Versions of Mahara prior to 17.04.8, 17.10.5, and 18.04.1 fail to conceal usernames claimed by registered users, posing a security risk.

Understanding CVE-2018-11565

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Mahara versions prior to 17.04.8, 17.10.5, and 18.04.1 that exposes usernames of registered users.

What is CVE-2018-11565?

Mahara versions before specified releases reveal usernames already taken by registered users, compromising user privacy and security.

The Impact of CVE-2018-11565

Exposing claimed usernames can lead to privacy breaches, social engineering attacks, and unauthorized access to user accounts.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-11565

Mahara versions prior to 17.04.8, 17.10.5, and 18.04.1 have a vulnerability that exposes usernames of registered users.

Vulnerability Description

The issue lies in the failure to mask usernames that have already been claimed by users, allowing unauthorized individuals to view this sensitive information.

Affected Systems and Versions

Mahara versions before 17.04.8
Mahara versions before 17.10.5
Mahara versions before 18.04.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by accessing the system and viewing the list of usernames that have been claimed by registered users.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-11565, users and administrators should take immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Mahara to versions 17.04.8, 17.10.5, or 18.04.1 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Advise users to change their usernames to prevent exposure of sensitive information.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Mahara to the latest versions to patch security vulnerabilities.
Educate users on the importance of choosing secure and unique usernames.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Mahara to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2018-11565.