CVE-2019-14827 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

A weakness was discovered in Moodle that allowed for potential JavaScript injection in certain Mustache templates through recursive rendering from contexts. This vulnerability impacts versions 3.7 to 3.7.1, 3.6 to 3.6.5, 3.5 to 3.5.7, and earlier unsupported versions.

Understanding CVE-2019-14827

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Moodle that could lead to script injection in specific templates due to improper handling of Mustache helper tags within template contexts.

What is CVE-2019-14827?

The vulnerability in Moodle allowed for the injection of JavaScript in Mustache templates through recursive rendering from contexts. Insufficient escaping of Mustache helper tags before injection into another helper could result in script injection in specific templates.

The Impact of CVE-2019-14827

The vulnerability affects versions 3.7 to 3.7.1, 3.6 to 3.6.5, 3.5 to 3.5.7, and earlier unsupported versions of Moodle. If exploited, it could lead to unauthorized script execution within the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-14827

This section provides more detailed technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in Moodle allowed for potential JavaScript injection in certain Mustache templates through recursive rendering from contexts. Mustache helper tags within template contexts were not properly escaped before being injected into another Mustache helper, enabling script injection in specific templates.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: Moodle
Affected Versions: 3.7 to 3.7.1, 3.6 to 3.6.5, 3.5 to 3.5.7, and earlier unsupported versions

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by injecting JavaScript in Mustache templates through recursive rendering from contexts, taking advantage of the improper handling of Mustache helper tags.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-14827 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Moodle to the latest patched version to mitigate the vulnerability.
Monitor for any unauthorized script execution within the application.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch Moodle to address security vulnerabilities.
Implement secure coding practices to prevent script injection attacks.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by Moodle to fix the vulnerability.