CVE-2020-1755 : What You Need to Know

A vulnerability in Moodle versions prior to 3.8.2, 3.7.5, 3.6.9, and 3.5.11 could allow spoofing of a user's IP through X-Forwarded-For headers.

Understanding CVE-2020-1755

This CVE involves a security issue in Moodle versions that could lead to IP spoofing.

What is CVE-2020-1755?

In Moodle versions before 3.8.2, 3.7.5, 3.6.9, and 3.5.11, it is possible to exploit X-Forwarded-For headers to spoof a user's IP address, enabling the bypassing of remote address checks.

The Impact of CVE-2020-1755

This vulnerability could allow attackers to impersonate legitimate users, potentially leading to unauthorized access or other malicious activities.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-1755

This section delves into the specifics of the CVE, including the vulnerability's description, affected systems, and exploitation method.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in Moodle versions before 3.8.2, 3.7.5, 3.6.9, and 3.5.11 enables the manipulation of X-Forwarded-For headers to fake a user's IP, circumventing checks on the remote address.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Moodle
Versions Affected: 3.8 to 3.8.1, 3.7 to 3.7.4, 3.6 to 3.6.8, 3.5 to 3.5.10, and unsupported earlier versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can set malicious X-Forwarded-For headers to present false IP addresses, tricking systems into allowing unauthorized access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems against CVE-2020-1755 involves immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update Moodle to versions 3.8.2, 3.7.5, 3.6.9, or 3.5.11, which include fixes for this vulnerability.
Monitor network traffic for suspicious X-Forwarded-For headers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Regularly audit and review server logs for any unusual activities.

Patching and Updates

Apply security patches provided by Moodle to address this vulnerability and stay informed of future updates.