Learn about CVE-2023-23923, a significant Moodle vulnerability enabling unauthorized access to restricted functionalities. Understand its impact, affected systems, and mitigation steps.
This CVE record pertains to a vulnerability discovered in Moodle, which stems from inadequate restrictions on the "start page" preference. The vulnerability enables a remote attacker to manipulate this preference for another user, leading to unauthorized access to typically restricted functionalities.
Understanding CVE-2023-23923
This section delves into the specifics of CVE-2023-23923, shedding light on its nature, impact, and technical details.
What is CVE-2023-23923?
CVE-2023-23923 is a security flaw identified in Moodle, an open-source learning platform widely used for educational purposes. The vulnerability arises from a lack of proper restrictions on the "start page" preference within the platform. Exploiting this vulnerability allows a remote attacker to gain unauthorized access to functionalities that are typically restricted to certain users.
The Impact of CVE-2023-23923
The impact of CVE-2023-23923 is significant as it opens the door for unauthorized access to confidential information and functionalities within Moodle. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability can potentially compromise the integrity and confidentiality of data stored on the platform. Educational institutions using affected versions of Moodle are particularly at risk of unauthorized access and data breaches.
Technical Details of CVE-2023-23923
In this section, we delve deeper into the technical aspects of the CVE-2023-23923, including vulnerability description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.
Vulnerability Description
The vulnerability in Moodle (CVE-2023-23923) is categorized under CWE-284 - Improper Access Control. It stems from the lack of adequate limitations on the "start page" preference, allowing a remote attacker to manipulate this setting for another user and gain unauthorized access to restricted functionalities.
Affected Systems and Versions
The vulnerability impacts Moodle versions 4.1, 4.0 to 4.0.5, 3.11 to 3.11.11, and 3.9 to 3.9.18. The issue has been addressed in versions 4.1.1, 4.0.6, 3.11.12, and 3.9.19, with fixes aimed at mitigating the risk posed by this vulnerability.
Exploitation Mechanism
To exploit CVE-2023-23923, a remote attacker needs to manipulate the "start page" preference of another user within Moodle. By setting this preference maliciously, the attacker can bypass access restrictions and gain unauthorized entry to functionalities that are typically restricted, potentially leading to data breaches and privacy violations.
Mitigation and Prevention
This section outlines essential steps to mitigate the impact of CVE-2023-23923 and prevent unauthorized access to Moodle instances.
Immediate Steps to Take
Long-Term Security Practices
Patching and Updates