📄 Description (English)
Moodle LMS 4.0 contains a cross-site scripting vulnerability that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious scripts by submitting payloads through the search parameter. Attackers can inject JavaScript code via the search field in course/search.php to execute arbitrary scripts in users' browsers and steal session cookies.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
Moodle LMS 4.0 contains a reflected XSS vulnerability in the search functionality that allows unauthenticated attackers to inject malicious JavaScript through the search parameter. Attackers can craft malicious URLs to steal session cookies and compromise user accounts. While no public exploit exists, the vulnerability is easily exploitable and poses significant risk to educational institutions and organizations using Moodle for e-learning platforms.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: May 23, 2026 01:33
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
Saudi educational institutions, universities, and government training centers using Moodle LMS are at significant risk. The vulnerability affects: (1) Ministry of Education and higher education institutions relying on Moodle for distance learning; (2) ARAMCO and other large enterprises using Moodle for employee training; (3) Healthcare organizations using Moodle for medical education and training; (4) Government agencies using Moodle for civil service training. Session hijacking could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive educational records, student data, and institutional intellectual property. The vulnerability is particularly concerning given widespread Moodle adoption in Saudi Arabia's digital transformation initiatives.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Education
Government
Healthcare
Energy
Enterprise Training
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
IMMEDIATE ACTIONS:
1. Disable or restrict access to the search functionality in Moodle 4.0 until patching is available
2. Implement Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules to block malicious search payloads containing script tags and event handlers
3. Review access logs for suspicious search queries containing JavaScript patterns
PATCHING GUIDANCE:
1. Monitor Moodle security advisories for patch release
2. Upgrade to patched version immediately upon availability
3. Test patches in non-production environment before deployment
COMPENSATING CONTROLS:
1. Implement Content Security Policy (CSP) headers to prevent inline script execution
2. Enable HTTP-only and Secure flags on session cookies
3. Implement input validation and output encoding on search parameters
4. Deploy network-based IDS/IPS signatures to detect XSS attempts
5. Enforce strong session management with short timeout periods
DETECTION RULES:
1. Monitor for search parameters containing: <script>, javascript:, onerror=, onload=, onclick=
2. Alert on search queries with URL encoding of special characters (%3C, %3E, %22)
3. Track unusual session activity following search requests
4. Monitor for cookie exfiltration attempts in HTTP headers
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تعطيل أو تقييد الوصول إلى وظيفة البحث في Moodle 4.0 حتى يتوفر التصحيح
2. تنفيذ قواعد جدار حماية تطبيقات الويب (WAF) لحجب حمولات البحث الضارة التي تحتوي على علامات النصوص البرمجية ومعالجات الأحداث
3. مراجعة سجلات الوصول للبحث عن استعلامات بحث مريبة تحتوي على أنماط JavaScript
إرشادات التصحيح:
1. مراقبة تنبيهات أمان Moodle لإصدار التصحيح
2. الترقية إلى الإصدار المصحح فوراً عند توفره
3. اختبار التصحيحات في بيئة غير الإنتاج قبل النشر
الضوابط البديلة:
1. تنفيذ رؤوس سياسة أمان المحتوى (CSP) لمنع تنفيذ النصوص البرمجية المضمنة
2. تفعيل أعلام HTTP-only و Secure على ملفات تعريف الجلسة
3. تنفيذ التحقق من صحة الإدخال وترميز الإخراج على معاملات البحث
4. نشر توقيعات نظام كشف/منع الاختراق (IDS/IPS) لكشف محاولات XSS
5. فرض إدارة جلسة قوية مع فترات انتظار قصيرة
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة معاملات البحث التي تحتوي على: <script>، javascript:، onerror=، onload=، onclick=
2. تنبيه الاستعلامات البحثية بترميز URL للأحرف الخاصة (%3C، %3E، %22)
3. تتبع نشاط الجلسة غير العادي بعد طلبات البحث
4. مراقبة محاولات تسرب ملفات تعريف الجلسة في رؤوس HTTP
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy and procedures
A.14.2.5 - Secure development environment
A.13.1.3 - Segregation of networks
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.BE-5 - Organizational resilience
PR.DS-6 - Integrity checking mechanisms
PR.IP-1 - System development and acquisition
DE.CM-1 - The network is monitored for unauthorized connections
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy
A.13.1.1 - Network controls
A.12.2.1 - Change management procedures
🟣 PCI DSS v4.0.1
6.5.7 - Cross-site scripting (XSS)
6.2 - Ensure security patches are installed
11.2 - Run automated vulnerability scanning tools
🔗 References & Sources 4