CVE-2019-10186 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability was discovered in Moodle versions prior to 3.7.1, 3.6.5, and 3.5.7 where the XML loading/unloading admin tool failed to use a sesskey (CSRF) token.

Understanding CVE-2019-10186

This CVE pertains to a security issue found in Moodle versions before 3.7.1, 3.6.5, and 3.5.7.

What is CVE-2019-10186?

This CVE identifies a vulnerability in Moodle versions prior to 3.7.1, 3.6.5, and 3.5.7, where the XML loading/unloading admin tool did not utilize a sesskey (CSRF) token, potentially exposing the system to CSRF attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2019-10186

The impact of this vulnerability is rated as MEDIUM with a CVSS base score of 6.5. It could allow an attacker to perform unauthorized actions on the affected Moodle instances.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-10186

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability arises from the failure of the XML loading/unloading admin tool in Moodle versions before 3.7.1, 3.6.5, and 3.5.7 to use a necessary sesskey (CSRF) token.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moodle
Vendor: The Moodle Project
Affected Versions: 3.7.1, 3.6.5, 3.5.7

Exploitation Mechanism

The lack of proper utilization of the CSRF token in the XML loading/unloading admin tool could be exploited by attackers to perform unauthorized actions on the Moodle platform.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Moodle to version 3.7.1 or newer to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement strict access controls and user permissions within the Moodle platform.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and audit Moodle installations for any suspicious activities.
Educate users on best practices to prevent CSRF attacks and other security threats.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by Moodle to address vulnerabilities like CVE-2019-10186.