Description
The TeX filter in Moodle 1.6 before 1.6.9+, 1.7 before 1.7.7+, 1.8 before 1.8.9, and 1.9 before 1.9.5 allows user-assisted attackers to read arbitrary files via an input command in a "$$" sequence, which causes LaTeX to include the contents of the 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 5.0 | moodle | 1.8.2.dfsg-3+lenny2 | DSA-1761-1 |
| Debian 4.0 | moodle | 1.6.3-2+etch3 | DSA-1761-1 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Moodle < 1.6.9/1.7.7/1.8.9/1.9.5 - File Disclosure EDB-8297 · webapps · Mar 27, 2009 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-1761-1 moodle - file disclosure Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 34600 third-party-advisory
- DSA-1761 vendor-advisory
- 8297 exploit
- USN-791-2 vendor-advisory
- http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL-18552
- FEDORA-2009-3283 vendor-advisory
- 20090327 Moodle: Sensitive File Disclosure mailing-list
- http://cvs.moodle.org/moodle/filter/tex/filter.php?r1=1.18.4.4&r2=1.18.4.5
- 35570 third-party-advisory
- 34278 vdb-entry
- FEDORA-2009-3280 vendor-advisory
- 34557 third-party-advisory
- SUSE-SR:2009:009 vendor-advisory
- 34517 third-party-advisory