Description
spell-check-logic.cgi in Moodle 1.8.2 allows local users to overwrite arbitrary files via a symlink attack on the (1) /tmp/spell-check-debug.log, (2) /tmp/spell-check-before, or (3) /tmp/spell-check-after temporary file.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 4.0 | moodle | 1.6.3-2+etch2 | DSA-1724-1 |
Affected packages
| Ecosystem | Package | Affected | Fixed | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Packagist | moodle/moodle | >= 1.9.0, < 1.9.4 | 1.9.4 | GHSA-x7r4-26m9-hmgq |
| Packagist | moodle/moodle | >= 1.8.0, < 1.8.8 | 1.8.8 | GHSA-x7r4-26m9-hmgq |
| Packagist | moodle/moodle | >= 1.7.0, < 1.7.7 | 1.7.7 | GHSA-x7r4-26m9-hmgq |
| Packagist | moodle/moodle | >= 1.6.0, < 1.6.9 | 1.6.9 | GHSA-x7r4-26m9-hmgq |
Advisories 1
- DSA-1724-1 - several vulnerabilities Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 32402 vdb-entry
- [debian-devel] 20080813 Re: Possible mass bug filing: The possibility of attack with the help of symlinks in some Debian packages mailing-list
- http://uvw.ru/report.sid.txt
- 33955 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1724 vendor-advisory
- moodle-spellchecklogic-symlink(46708) vdb-entry