CVE-2020-25699 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2020-25699 is a vulnerability in Moodle that could allow users with course restore capabilities to add additional capabilities to roles within the course.

Understanding CVE-2020-25699

In Moodle, insufficient capability checks could lead to unauthorized users gaining additional privileges within a course.

What is CVE-2020-25699?

This CVE refers to a security flaw in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.9.2, where users with course restore permissions could escalate their privileges within the course.

The Impact of CVE-2020-25699

The vulnerability could result in unauthorized users gaining elevated privileges within a Moodle course, potentially leading to data breaches or unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-25699

Vulnerability Description

Insufficient capability checks in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.9.2 allow users with course restore permissions to add additional capabilities to roles within the course.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions affected: 3.9 to 3.9.2, 3.8 to 3.8.5, 3.7 to 3.7.8, 3.5 to 3.5.14, and earlier unsupported versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Unauthorized users with course restore permissions can exploit this vulnerability to gain additional capabilities within a Moodle course.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Upgrade Moodle to the fixed versions: 3.9.3, 3.8.6, 3.7.9, 3.5.15, or 3.10.
Restrict course restore permissions to trusted users only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly review and update user roles and permissions in Moodle.
Conduct security training for Moodle administrators and users.

Patching and Updates

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