CVE-2021-32475 : What You Need to Know

This article provides detailed information about CVE-2021-32475, a vulnerability affecting Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.10.3. It discusses the impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

Understanding CVE-2021-32475

CVE-2021-32475 is a vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.10.3 that allows for stored XSS risk due to inadequate sanitization of ID numbers in the quiz grading report.

What is CVE-2021-32475?

The vulnerability in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.10.3 arises from the lack of proper sanitization of ID numbers in the quiz grading report, leading to a stored XSS risk.

The Impact of CVE-2021-32475

Organizations using affected versions of Moodle are at risk of potential cross-site scripting attacks that could compromise the integrity and security of user data and systems.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-32475

This section provides more insights into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

ID numbers in the quiz grading report lack sufficient sanitization, opening the door for malicious actors to execute stored XSS attacks in Moodle versions 3.5 to 3.10.3.

Affected Systems and Versions

Moodle versions 3.10 to 3.10.3, 3.9 to 3.9.6, 3.8 to 3.8.8, and 3.5 to 3.5.17, along with any earlier unsupported versions, are impacted by CVE-2021-32475.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging the vulnerability in the quiz grading report, attackers can embed malicious scripts through ID numbers, potentially compromising user data and system integrity.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard against CVE-2021-32475, immediate steps, long-term security practices, and patching procedures are essential.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users and administrators of affected Moodle instances should update to the latest patched versions to mitigate the risk of stored XSS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing secure coding practices, regular security assessments, and user awareness training can help prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Moodle and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure your system is protected against known vulnerabilities.