CVE-2024-30618
📋 TL;DR
A stored cross-site scripting vulnerability in Chamilo LMS allows attackers to inject malicious JavaScript into group discussion topics. When users view these topics, the script executes in their browsers, potentially stealing session cookies or performing actions on their behalf. This affects all users of vulnerable Chamilo LMS installations.
💻 Affected Systems
- Chamilo LMS
📦 What is this software?
Chamilo Lms by Chamilo
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Attackers could steal administrator session cookies, take over administrative accounts, manipulate course content, or redirect users to malicious sites.
Likely Case
Attackers steal user session cookies to impersonate legitimate users, potentially accessing sensitive course materials or personal information.
If Mitigated
With proper input validation and output encoding, malicious scripts would be rendered harmless as text rather than executed.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires authenticated access to post in group topics. Public proof-of-concept demonstrates the vulnerability.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Fixed in commit 3b98682199049ebfb170ace16ada9a7c8e9a6622
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/chamilo/chamilo-lms/commit/3b98682199049ebfb170ace16ada9a7c8e9a6622
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Update to the latest Chamilo LMS version. 2. Apply the specific commit that fixes the vulnerability. 3. Verify the fix by testing the group_topics.php functionality.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation Filter
allImplement server-side input validation to sanitize the 'content' parameter before processing.
Modify group_topics.php to include HTML entity encoding for user input
Content Security Policy
allImplement a strict Content Security Policy header to prevent inline script execution.
Add header: Content-Security-Policy: script-src 'self'
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Disable group discussion functionality temporarily
- Implement web application firewall rules to block XSS payloads in the content parameter
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Test by posting a simple XSS payload like <script>alert('test')</script> in group topic content and check if it executes when viewed.Check Version:
Check Chamilo version in admin panel or review source code for commit hash 3b98682199049ebfb170ace16ada9a7c8e9a6622Verify Fix Applied:
After patching, attempt the same XSS payload and verify it's displayed as plain text rather than executed.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Unusual POST requests to group_topics.php with script tags or JavaScript in content parameter
- Multiple failed login attempts followed by group topic creation
Network Indicators:
- HTTP requests containing JavaScript payloads in POST data to group_topics.php
SIEM Query:
source="web_logs" AND uri="*group_topics.php*" AND (content="*<script>*" OR content="*javascript:*")