CVE-2021-20184 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies
Discover the impact of CVE-2021-20184, a security flaw in Moodle versions before 3.10.1, allowing unauthorized students to view other students' grades. Learn about the vulnerability, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
A detailed overview of CVE-2021-20184, a security vulnerability found in Moodle versions prior to 3.10.1, 3.9.4, and 3.8.7, allowing students to view other students' grades.
Understanding CVE-2021-20184
This section provides insights into the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies related to CVE-2021-20184.
What is CVE-2021-20184?
The CVE-2021-20184 vulnerability existed in Moodle versions before 3.10.1, 3.9.4, and 3.8.7 due to inadequate capability checks in certain grade-related web services. This flaw enabled students to access and view the grades of other students.
The Impact of CVE-2021-20184
The security issue posed a significant threat to data confidentiality and privacy within the Moodle learning management system. Unauthorized access to student grades could lead to privacy breaches and data misuse.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-20184
In this section, we delve into the vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism associated with CVE-2021-20184.
Vulnerability Description
The insufficient capability checks in grade-related web services allowed unauthorized students to view sensitive information, compromising data confidentiality.
Affected Systems and Versions
Moodle versions prior to 3.10.1, 3.9.4, and 3.8.7 were affected by this vulnerability, making users susceptible to grade data exposure.
Exploitation Mechanism
Exploiting CVE-2021-20184 involved leveraging the inadequate access control mechanisms in Moodle's grade services to retrieve unauthorized student grade data.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines immediate steps and long-term security practices to mitigate the risks posed by CVE-2021-20184.
Immediate Steps to Take
- Upgrade Moodle to version 3.10.1, 3.9.4, or 3.8.7 to eliminate the vulnerability.
- Restrict access to grade-related services to authorized personnel only.
Long-Term Security Practices
- Implement regular security audits to identify and address potential vulnerabilities proactively.
- Educate users on data privacy best practices and the importance of protecting sensitive information.
Patching and Updates
Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Moodle to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.