CVE-2020-25628 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.9.1 could lead to a reflected XSS risk due to inadequate sanitization in the tag manager.

Understanding CVE-2020-25628

This CVE identifies a security issue in Moodle that affects various versions, potentially exposing users to cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.

What is CVE-2020-25628?

The vulnerability in the tag manager of Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.9.1 allows for a reflected XSS risk, necessitating additional sanitization to prevent potential exploitation.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25628

The vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to execute malicious scripts in the context of a user's session, leading to unauthorized actions or data theft.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25628

This section delves into the specifics of the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Inadequate filtering in the tag manager of Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.9.1 exposes users to a reflected XSS risk, potentially compromising data integrity and user security.

Affected Systems and Versions

Moodle versions 3.9 to 3.9.1
Moodle versions 3.8 to 3.8.4
Moodle versions 3.7 to 3.7.7
Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.5.13
Earlier unsupported versions

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious input that, when processed by the tag manager, results in the execution of unauthorized scripts within a user's session.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-25628 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Moodle to the patched versions: 3.9.2, 3.8.5, 3.7.8, or 3.5.14
Educate users about the risks of clicking on suspicious links or executing unknown scripts

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update Moodle to the latest versions to ensure all security patches are applied
Implement content security policies to mitigate XSS risks

Patching and Updates

Apply the provided patches for Moodle versions to address the vulnerability and enhance system security