# CVE-2016-8642: Moodle improper access control in question engine

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-8642-moodle-improper-access-control-in-question-engine  
Publisher: Junglewise Threat Intelligence, https://junglewise.ai/threats  
Published: 2017-01-20. Updated: 2026-05-13  
License: CC BY 4.0 with a link back

CVE-2016-8642 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2017-01-20

Moodle, a widely used learning management system, contains a security flaw in its question engine component. This vulnerability allows unauthorized individuals to access files that should be restricted, potentially leading to the exposure of sensitive educational materials or student data. Organizations using affected versions should apply the available security patches to prevent unauthorized information disclosure.

Technologies: [Moodle](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/moodle), [moodle/moodle (Packagist)](https://junglewise.ai/threats/technologies/moodle-moodle). Vendors: [Moodle](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/moodle), [Packagist](https://junglewise.ai/threats/vendors/packagist).

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-8642 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-8642 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-8642?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 20 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Moodle 2.x, 3.0.x before 3.0.7, 3.1.x before 3.1.3; moodle/moodle (Packagist) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=3.1.0,fixed=3.1.3.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-8642?** Yes. moodle/moodle (Packagist): upgrade to 3.1.3 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2016-8642 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-8642?** Check whether you run Moodle or moodle/moodle (Packagist) at an affected version. Junglewise does that check for you around the clock: connect your code, cloud and domains, and it matches new vulnerabilities like this one against what you actually run and tells you when one reaches you.

## How to fix

- moodle/moodle (Packagist): upgrade to 3.1.3 or later

  ```sh
  composer require moodle/moodle:^3.1.3
  ```


## Technical details

An improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284) exists in the Moodle question engine. The flaw allows a remote attacker to bypass intended file access restrictions and view files that should be protected. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without requiring specific privileges or user interaction. This issue affects Moodle versions 2.7.x, 2.8.x, 2.9.x, 3.0.x, and 3.1.x. Patches have been released by the vendor to address this behavior in versions 3.0.7 and 3.1.3.

## Affected products

- Moodle Moodle 2.x, 3.0.x before 3.0.7, 3.1.x before 3.1.3

## Identifiers

- CVE-2016-8642
- GHSA-x32v-7qw8-cpq8

## Timeline

- 2016-11-21: advisory: Vendor advisory published by Moodle
- 2017-01-20: disclosed: NVD publication date

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94441](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94441)
- [https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=343275](https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=343275)

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