CVE-2022-35653 : Security Advisory and Response

A reflected XSS vulnerability was discovered in the LTI module of Moodle, potentially allowing remote attackers to execute malicious scripts and HTML code in the victim's browser.

Understanding CVE-2022-35653

This CVE refers to a reflected XSS vulnerability found in Moodle's LTI module, which could be exploited by attackers to run arbitrary code in users' browsers.

What is CVE-2022-35653?

The vulnerability originated from inadequate sanitization of user-supplied data in Moodle’s LTI module, enabling attackers to craft malicious links to steal sensitive information, modify web pages, and launch phishing attacks.

The Impact of CVE-2022-35653

By exploiting this vulnerability, attackers can execute unauthorized scripts in the context of the vulnerable website, posing risks such as data theft, page manipulation, phishing, and drive-by-download attacks. Notably, authenticated users are not impacted by this vulnerability.

Technical Details of CVE-2022-35653

This section covers the specifics of the vulnerability, including affected systems, exploitation methods, and available fixes.

Vulnerability Description

CVE-2022-35653 is classified as a CWE-79 issue, indicating improper neutralization of input during web page generation, particularly related to Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities.

Affected Systems and Versions

The vulnerability affects Moodle versions prior to 4.0.2, 3.11.8, and 3.9.15. Users running these versions are at risk of exploitation and are advised to update to the fixed versions.

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit CVE-2022-35653 by enticing users to click on specially crafted links, triggering the execution of malicious scripts in the victim's browser through the Moodle LTI module.

Mitigation and Prevention

To safeguard systems from CVE-2022-35653, immediate actions and long-term security measures are recommended.

Immediate Steps to Take

Users are urged to update their Moodle installations to versions 4.0.2, 3.11.8, or 3.9.15 to patch the vulnerability and prevent potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implementing robust input validation and output encoding practices, conducting security audits, and promoting user awareness about phishing attacks are crucial for long-term protection.

Patching and Updates

Regularly monitor security advisories from Moodle and related vendors to stay informed about patches, updates, and best practices for maintaining a secure e-learning environment.