CVE-2013-3630: Moodle/moodle Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

MODERATE
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-wxqg-fg7v-mmc6
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CWE-94
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2013-3630 is a MODERATE remote code execution vulnerability (CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')) affecting Moodle/moodle libraries in the Packagist ecosystem. The issue involves moodle authenticated spelling binary remote code execution. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 2.5.3.

CVE-2013-3630 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2013-3630
GHSA Identifier GHSA-wxqg-fg7v-mmc6
Severity MODERATE
CVSS v3.1 Base Score N/A
CWE Classification CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection')
Affected Product Moodle/moodle
Package Ecosystem Packagist
Published Date
Last Updated

How to Fix CVE-2013-3630

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: 2.5.3 
Upgrade moodle/moodle to 2.5.3
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-2013-3630, 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 2.5.3), 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-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection'), where the product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment. 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

Moodle through 2.5.2 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary programs by configuring the aspell pathname and then triggering a spell-check operation within the TinyMCE editor.

CVE-2013-3630 Affected Moodle/moodle Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
2.5.3
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
moodle/moodle
 Packagist
< 2.5.3
2.5.3

References

NVD — CVE-2013-3630 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-3630
community.rapid7.com/community/metasploi... WEB
https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2013/10/30/seven-foss-disclosures-part-one
community.rapid7.com/community/metasploi... WEB
https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2013/10/30/seven-tricks-and-treats
Moodle/moodle Source Repository REPOSITORY
https://github.com/moodle/moodle
Moodle/moodle Security Information SECURITY
http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164479/Moodle-Authenticated-Spelling-Binary-Remote-Code-Execution.html

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2013-3630?
CVE-2013-3630 is a security vulnerability in Moodle/moodle involving Moodle Authenticated Spelling Binary Remote Code Execution under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection').
Which Moodle/moodle versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 2.5.3 across affected packages: moodle/moodle.
What version fixes CVE-2013-3630?
Upgrading to 2.5.3 (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 2.5.3. Upgrade your dependency to 2.5.3 or later.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2013-3630?
CVE-2013-3630 is classified under CWE-94: Improper Control of Generation of Code ('Code Injection') (The product constructs all or part of a code segment using externally-influenced input from an upstream component, but it does not neutralize or incorrectly neutralizes special elements that could modify the syntax or behavior of the intended code segment.).
How can I check Packagist dependencies for CVE-2013-3630?
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 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-wxqg-fg7v-mmc6",
  "modified" : "2023-08-17T22:32:04Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:05:39Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2013-3630" ],
  "summary" : "Moodle  Authenticated Spelling Binary Remote Code Execution",
  "details" : "Moodle through 2.5.2 allows remote authenticated administrators to execute arbitrary programs by configuring the aspell pathname and then triggering a spell-check operation within the TinyMCE editor.",
  "severity" : [ ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Packagist",
      "name" : "moodle/moodle"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "2.5.3"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 2.5.2"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2013-3630"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2013/10/30/seven-foss-disclosures-part-one"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "https://community.rapid7.com/community/metasploit/blog/2013/10/30/seven-tricks-and-treats"
  }, {
    "type" : "PACKAGE",
    "url" : "https://github.com/moodle/moodle"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://packetstormsecurity.com/files/164479/Moodle-Authenticated-Spelling-Binary-Remote-Code-Execution.html"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-94" ],
    "severity" : "MODERATE",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2023-08-17T22:32:04Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2013-11-01T02:55:00Z"
  }
}