# CVE-2016-8644: Moodle improper access control in course notes

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2016-8644-moodle-improper-access-control-in-course-notes  
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-2016-8644 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2017-01-20

Moodle, a widely used learning management system, contains a flaw in how it manages permissions for course notes. This issue could allow unauthorized individuals to view private course notes that they should not have access to. This could lead to the exposure of sensitive educational information or student-related data.

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

## Quick answers

**Is CVE-2016-8644 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2016-8644 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2016-8644?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 20 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Moodle 2.7.0 to 2.7.16, 2.8.0 to 2.8.12, 2.9.0 to 2.9.8, 3.0.0 to 3.0.6, 3.1.0 to 3.1.2.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2016-8644?** No fixed version is recorded yet. Check the vendor's advisory in the references below. If you run it, Junglewise drafts a mitigation that fits your setup and applies it once you approve, with senior security engineers behind it.

**How is CVE-2016-8644 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a web application.

**Am I affected by CVE-2016-8644?** Check whether you run Moodle 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.

## Technical details

An improper access control vulnerability exists in Moodle versions 2.x and 3.x. The root cause is a logic error where the system performs permission checks for viewing course notes in an incorrect context. This allows a remote attacker to bypass intended access restrictions and view notes they are not authorized to see. The vulnerability is reachable over the network without authentication or user interaction. Patches have been released by the vendor to address the context-checking logic.

## Affected products

- Moodle Moodle 2.7.0 to 2.7.16, 2.8.0 to 2.8.12, 2.9.0 to 2.9.8, 3.0.0 to 3.0.6, 3.1.0 to 3.1.2

## Timeline

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

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94458](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/94458)
- [https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=343277](https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=343277)

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