CVE-2020-25629 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability in Moodle allows users with specific capabilities to gain unauthorized access to site administration functions.

Understanding CVE-2020-25629

This CVE identifies a security issue in Moodle that could lead to unauthorized access to site administration capabilities.

What is CVE-2020-25629?

The vulnerability in Moodle allows users with the "Log in as" capability in a course context to access site administration functions by impersonating a System manager.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25629

Unauthorized users could potentially exploit this vulnerability to gain access to sensitive site administration features, compromising the security and integrity of the Moodle platform.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25629

This section provides technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

Users with the "Log in as" capability in a course context can access site administration functions by impersonating a System manager in Moodle.

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 of Moodle

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users exploit the "Log in as" capability in a course context to gain access to site administration functions by impersonating a System manager.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protect your system from CVE-2020-25629 with these steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Moodle to the patched versions: 3.9.2, 3.8.5, 3.7.8, or 3.5.14
Restrict the "Log in as" capability to authorized personnel only

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user roles and capabilities
Conduct security training for Moodle administrators

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security patches and updates provided by Moodle to address this vulnerability