CVE-2016-2159: Moodle/moodle Moodle External Function Mod_assign_save_submission Does Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-cw72-69wq-f9f2
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CVSS 4.3
CWE-284
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2016-2159 is a MODERATE (CVSS 4.3) moodle external function mod_assign_save_submission does vulnerability (CWE-284: Improper Access Control) affecting Moodle/moodle libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves moodle external function mod_assign_save_submission does not check due dates. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.7.13, 2.8.11, 2.9.5, 3.0.3.

CVE-2016-2159 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2016-2159
GHSA Identifier GHSA-cw72-69wq-f9f2
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 4.3
CWE Classification CWE-284: Improper Access Control
Affected Product Moodle/moodle
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 4.3

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity Low (AC:L)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Unchanged (S:U)
Confidentiality None (C:N)
Integrity Low (I:L)
Availability None (A:N)

How to Fix CVE-2016-2159

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Moodle/moodle dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

moodle/moodle fixed: 2.7.13 
Upgrade moodle/moodle to 2.7.13
moodle/moodle fixed: 2.8.11 
Upgrade moodle/moodle to 2.8.11
moodle/moodle fixed: 2.9.5 
Upgrade moodle/moodle to 2.9.5
moodle/moodle fixed: 3.0.3 
Upgrade moodle/moodle to 3.0.3
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

inspect dependencies for moodle/moodle

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your application is affected by CVE-2016-2159, inspect your project dependencies for Moodle/moodle:

inspect dependencies for moodle/moodle

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Moodle/moodle in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 2.7.13), your application is affected.

Note: Verify declared build manifests and deployed runtime container environments.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-284: Improper Access Control, where the product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. In Moodle/moodle, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

The save_submission function in mod/assign/externallib.php in Moodle through 2.6.11, 2.7.x before 2.7.13, 2.8.x before 2.8.11, 2.9.x before 2.9.5, and 3.0.x before 3.0.3 allows remote authenticated users to bypass intended due-date restrictions by leveraging the student role for a web-service request.

CVE-2016-2159 Affected Moodle/moodle Versions

4 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.7.132.8.112.9.53.0.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
moodle/moodle
 Packagist
≥ 2.7
< 2.7.13
2.7.13
moodle/moodle
 Packagist
≥ 2.8
< 2.8.11
2.8.11
moodle/moodle
 Packagist
≥ 2.9
< 2.9.5
2.9.5
moodle/moodle
 Packagist
≥ 3.0
< 3.0.3
3.0.3

References

NVD — CVE-2016-2159 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2016-2159
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/moodle/moodle/commit/0766509ab02353008af62f953f7ebc0f6210411a
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/moodle/moodle/commit/3c069c16db62d0e0a64137578e92c22d604dd261
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/moodle/moodle/commit/711f9468d4e2792afe0f2025ac98c52ee3e4ee71
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/moodle/moodle/commit/dc8421575f35585a7a4fc1c9710dafd1d0483d4e
Security Fix Commit FIX COMMIT
https://github.com/moodle/moodle/commit/ea8987644fdbbee291337263598b0c3c7bf27c36
Moodle/moodle Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/moodle/moodle
moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.p... WEB
https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=330182
Moodle/moodle Security Information SECURITY
https://web.archive.org/web/20160424224349/http://www.securitytracker.com/id/1035333
git.moodle.org/gw WEB
http://git.moodle.org/gw?p=moodle.git&a=search&h=HEAD&st=commit&s=MDL-52901
Moodle/moodle Security Information SECURITY
http://www.openwall.com/lists/oss-security/2016/03/21/1

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2016-2159?
CVE-2016-2159 is a security vulnerability in Moodle/moodle involving Moodle External function mod_assign_save_submission does not check due dates under CWE-284: Improper Access Control.
Which Moodle/moodle versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.7.13, 2.8.11, 2.9.5, 3.0.3 across affected packages: moodle/moodle.
What version fixes CVE-2016-2159?
Upgrading to 2.7.13, 2.8.11, 2.9.5, 3.0.3 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is moodle/moodle affected?
Yes, moodle/moodle is affected in releases prior to 2.7.13, 2.8.11, 2.9.5, 3.0.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.7.13, 2.8.11, 2.9.5, 3.0.3 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2016-2159?
CVE-2016-2159 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 4.3 (MODERATE) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2016-2159?
CVE-2016-2159 is classified under CWE-284: Improper Access Control (The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.).
How can I check Packagist dependencies for CVE-2016-2159?
Run the dependency tree command: 'inspect dependencies for moodle/moodle'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
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  "id" : "GHSA-cw72-69wq-f9f2",
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  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:12:38Z",
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  "summary" : "Moodle External function mod_assign_save_submission does not check due dates",
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  "database_specific" : {
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    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2024-01-26T20:48:53Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2016-05-22T20:59:00Z"
  }
}