CVE-2019-3851 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A security flaw in Moodle versions 3.6.3 and 3.5.5 allowed students to navigate away from the current page due to a direct link in the Boost theme's secure layout.

Understanding CVE-2019-3851

This CVE involves a vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.6.3 and 3.5.5 that could impact user navigation within the platform.

What is CVE-2019-3851?

CVE-2019-3851 is a security flaw found in Moodle versions 3.6.3 and 3.5.5, where the Boost theme's secure layout contained a direct link to the site home, enabling students to move away from the current page.

The Impact of CVE-2019-3851

The vulnerability allowed unauthorized navigation away from the current page, potentially disrupting the user experience and leading to unintended actions.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-3851

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

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Moodle versions 3.6.3 and 3.5.5 stemmed from a direct link in the Boost theme's secure layout, allowing students to navigate away from the current page.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moodle
Versions Affected: 3.6.3, 3.5.5

Exploitation Mechanism

Attack Complexity: Low
Attack Vector: Network
Base Score: 4.3 (Medium)
Integrity Impact: Low
Privileges Required: Low

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-3851 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Moodle to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.
Educate users to avoid clicking on suspicious links within the platform.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor and update Moodle installations to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Conduct security training for users to enhance awareness of potential risks.

Patching and Updates

Apply the official patches released by Moodle to fix the vulnerability and prevent exploitation.