CVE-2022-35651 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting Moodle, identified as a stored XSS and blind SSRF issue. The vulnerability arises from insufficient sanitization of user-supplied data within the SCORM track details. A remote attacker can exploit this vulnerability by tricking a victim into following a specially crafted link, which allows the execution of arbitrary HTML and script code in the user's browser. This can lead to the theft of sensitive information, alteration of the webpage's appearance, and can facilitate phishing and drive-by-download attacks.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.1, categorizing it as medium severity. Organizations should assess their exposure to this vulnerability, especially in environments where Moodle is deployed, as the implications of exploitation can be significant. Given the nature of the vulnerability, immediate attention is warranted to prevent potential exploitation.
Currently, there are no known public exploits or proof of concept code available to demonstrate the exploitation of this vulnerability. However, the potential for exploitation exists, and organizations using affected versions of Moodle should prioritize remediation efforts.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-35651. Failure to address this vulnerability may expose systems to malicious attacks that could compromise user data and system integrity.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that it allows for stored XSS and blind SSRF due to inadequate sanitization of user input. The CVSS 3.1 vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:C/C:L/I:L/A:N, indicating an attack vector of NETWORK with low complexity and no privileges required, but requiring user interaction.
The affected products include Moodle versions from 3.9.0 to 3.9.14, 3.11.0 to 3.11.7, and 4.0.0, including beta and release candidate versions, as well as 4.0.1. The vulnerability was first published on July 25, 2022, and has undergone modifications since the initial disclosure.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2022-35651 is inadequate sanitization of user inputs in the SCORM track details, which leads to stored XSS and blind SSRF vulnerabilities. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity, meaning that the attacker does not require advanced skills to exploit the vulnerability. No special privileges are required for the attack, but user interaction is necessary, as the victim must click on a malicious link.
The impacts of this vulnerability include potential confidentiality breaches, as attackers may steal sensitive information. Additionally, the integrity of the affected system could be compromised, allowing attackers to modify the appearance of the web page. However, there is no expected impact on the availability of the system.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world risk associated with CVE-2022-35651 is significant, particularly for organizations utilizing Moodle in educational or training environments. The ability for an attacker to execute arbitrary code in a user's browser poses a serious threat to user data and trust. The blast radius of this vulnerability could extend beyond individual users, potentially affecting entire organizations if exploited.
Given the CVSS score of 6.1, this vulnerability warrants a medium urgency rating for remediation. Organizations should assess their patching schedules and prioritize updates to vulnerable Moodle versions to mitigate the risks posed by this vulnerability.
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The following versions of Moodle are affected by CVE-2022-35651: all versions from 3.9.0 to 3.9.14, from 3.11.0 to 3.11.7, and the initial release of 4.0.0, including all beta and RC versions. Organizations running these versions should take immediate action to upgrade.
Mitigation & Remediation
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2022-35651, organizations should upgrade to the latest stable version of Moodle. If an upgrade is not immediately possible, consider implementing input validation and sanitization measures to reduce the likelihood of exploitation. Additionally, enabling web application firewalls may help to detect and block malicious requests.
For detailed guidance on security assessments and penetration testing, organizations can refer to application security assessment services.
Detection Guidance
Organizations should monitor for unusual user behavior, particularly any attempts to access SCORM track details from unauthorized sources. Reviewing logs for anomalies, such as unexpected JavaScript execution or modifications to user interface elements, can help in identifying potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2022-35651 lies in its demonstration of the risks associated with inadequate input sanitization. This vulnerability highlights the need for organizations to implement robust security practices in their development processes to prevent similar issues in the future. Security teams should prioritize regular security assessments and code reviews, ensuring that vulnerabilities are identified and remediated early in the development lifecycle.
For further insights into security practices and vulnerability management programs, organizations can consult the following resources: vulnerability management program design, penetration testing methodology, and continuous security testing practices.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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