CVE-2018-16854 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.5.2, 3.4 to 3.4.5, 3.3 to 3.3.8, and 3.1 to 3.1.14 allows for cross-site request forgery attacks due to a lack of token protection in the login form. This CVE affects multiple versions of Moodle, but it has been addressed in versions 3.6, 3.5.3, 3.4.6, 3.3.9, and 3.1.15.

Understanding CVE-2018-16854

This CVE impacts Moodle, an open-source learning platform widely used for online education.

What is CVE-2018-16854?

The vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.5.2, 3.4 to 3.4.5, 3.3 to 3.3.8, and 3.1 to 3.1.14 allows attackers to perform cross-site request forgery attacks by exploiting the absence of token protection in the login form.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16854

The vulnerability poses a medium severity risk with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It can lead to unauthorized access and potential data manipulation.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16854

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in Moodle versions leaves the login form susceptible to cross-site request forgery attacks due to the absence of token protection.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected versions include Moodle 3.5 to 3.5.2, 3.4 to 3.4.5, 3.3 to 3.3.8, and 3.1 to 3.1.14.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the vulnerability by crafting malicious requests that execute unauthorized actions on behalf of authenticated users.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16854 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Moodle to the fixed versions: 3.6, 3.5.3, 3.4.6, 3.3.9, or 3.1.15 to mitigate the vulnerability.
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or visiting untrusted websites.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent CSRF vulnerabilities in web applications.
Regularly monitor and audit web application logs for unusual activities that may indicate CSRF attacks.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for security updates and patches released by Moodle to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.