# CVE-2017-2576: Moodle incorrect attribute sanitization in forums

Source: https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2017-2576-moodle-incorrect-attribute-sanitization-in-forums  
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-2017-2576 · Severity: medium · CVSS 5.3 · Published 2017-01-20

Moodle, a widely used learning management system, contains a security flaw in its forum component. This vulnerability allows for incorrect handling of data within forum posts, which could potentially allow users to bypass certain content restrictions. This may impact the integrity of information shared within educational forums.

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-2017-2576 exploited in the wild?** No. Junglewise Threat Intelligence has no report of CVE-2017-2576 being exploited in the wild.

**How severe is CVE-2017-2576?** Medium severity, with a CVSS score of 5.3, published 20 January 2017.

**Which products and versions are affected?** Moodle 2.7.0 to 2.7.17, 2.8.0 to 2.8.12, 2.9.0 to 2.9.9, 3.0.0 to 3.0.7, 3.1.0 to 3.1.3, 3.2.0; moodle/moodle (Packagist) ECOSYSTEM:introduced=2.7,fixed=2.7.18.

**Is there a fix for CVE-2017-2576?** Yes. moodle/moodle (Packagist): upgrade to 2.7.18 or later. Junglewise finds every place you run it, drafts the upgrade and applies it once you approve.

**How is CVE-2017-2576 attacked?** It is attacked over the network, in a network appliance.

**Am I affected by CVE-2017-2576?** 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 2.7.18 or later

  ```sh
  composer require moodle/moodle:^2.7.18
  ```


## Technical details

An improper input validation vulnerability (CWE-20) exists in Moodle versions 2.x and 3.x. The root cause is incorrect sanitization of attributes within the forum module. A remote, unauthenticated attacker can exploit this over the network to bypass intended restrictions on forum content. While the CVSS score indicates low impact on integrity and no impact on confidentiality or availability, such flaws typically facilitate cross-site scripting (XSS) or other content injection attacks. Patches were released by the vendor to address this sanitization issue.

## Affected products

- Moodle Moodle 2.7.0 to 2.7.17, 2.8.0 to 2.8.12, 2.9.0 to 2.9.9, 3.0.0 to 3.0.7, 3.1.0 to 3.1.3, 3.2.0

## Identifiers

- CVE-2017-2576
- GHSA-cjrf-xg77-chpw

## Timeline

- 2017-01-20: disclosed
- 2017-01-20: advisory

## References

- [http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95649](http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/95649)
- [https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=345912](https://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=345912)

## Related threats

- [Moodle insufficient access control in H5P content files](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-123655-a-flaw-was-found-in-moodle-insufficient-access-control-checks-on)
- [Moodle missing capability check in core_grades_get_gradeitems](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119556-moodle-4-2-0-through-4-5-15-5-0-0-through-5-0-11-5-1-0-through-5)
- [Moodle core_grades_get_feedback information disclosure](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119555-moodle-4-2-0-through-4-5-15-5-0-0-through-5-0-11-5-1-0-through-5)
- [Moodle SQL injection in External database enrolment plugin](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119554-moodle-5-3-0-5-2-0-through-5-2-4-5-1-0-through-5-1-8-5-0-0)
- [Moodle path traversal in Blackboard question import](https://junglewise.ai/threats/cve-2026-119553-moodle-5-3-0-5-2-0-through-5-2-4-5-1-0-through-5-1-8-5-0-0)