CVE-2021-20281Network attack vector

Full-name disclosure via missing profile authorization

Published Mar 15, 2021 · Updated Aug 3, 2024

Incorrect authorization in Moodle LMS before 3.10.2 allows remote attackers to read full names through the Online users block. The block's get_content() method trusted block/online_users:viewlist alone, retained guest access to that capability, and formatted each returned user with fullname() without user_can_view_profile(). The block must be enabled and populated; anonymous guests or other users lacking profile-view permission can obtain names, but not modify records or interrupt service.

CVSS severity5.3
Medium
EPSS probability1.31%
Next 30 days · Sep 16, 2026
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Based on sourced intelligence
Hinoki checkNot available
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Summary

What happened

Incorrect authorization in Moodle LMS before 3.10.2 allows remote attackers to read full names through the Online users block. The block's get_content() method trusted block/online_users:viewlist alone, retained guest access to that capability, and formatted each returned user with fullname() without user_can_view_profile(). The block must be enabled and populated; anonymous guests or other users lacking profile-view permission can obtain names, but not modify records or interrupt service.

The record

CVE
CVE-2021-20281
Published
Mar 15, 2021
Updated
Aug 3, 2024
Vendor
Moodle
Product
Moodle LMS
Classifications
CWE-863, CWE-200, T1087
Attack vector
network
Privileges
unauthenticated

Timeline

How it unfolded

  1. Mar 15, 2021CVE publishedPublication date reported by the CVE source.
  2. Aug 3, 2024Record updatedLatest update available in the CVE record.

Exploitability

Present is not the same as exploitable

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Is a vulnerable build present?

Compare these published version ranges with your installed build and any vendor patches.

  1. Affected versionversion=Fixed in 3.10.2, 3.9.5, 3.8.8, 3.5.17

What conditions does exploitation require?

Attack vectornetwork
Required privilegesunauthenticated

What is affected?

Moodle · Moodle LMSversion=Fixed in 3.10.2, 3.9.5, 3.8.8, 3.5.17

Published CVSS scores

5.0NIST NVDAV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:P/I:N/A:N
5.3NIST NVDCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N

CVSS describes severity. EPSS estimates exploitation probability.

Attacks

What attackers are doing with it

Daily unique IPs observed by Shadowserver honeypots for known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs). Missing observations do not establish an absence of attacks.

Daily unique IPsNo honeypot observations are available for this CVE in the selected window.

No observations available

Sep 10, 2026Sep 16, 2026
Latest reporting daySep 16, 2026
Latest daily unique IPsUnavailable
Prior 30-day averageUnavailable
SourceShadowserver honeypots (KEV)
Vectornetwork
Privilegesunauthenticated
Known exploitationUnconfirmed
Public exploitUnconfirmed

Weakness, pattern, technique

CWE-863Incorrect Authorization
CWE-200Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
T1087Account Discovery

Public exploit references

No public exploit references are available in this record.

Labels summarize the accepted research assessment. They do not indicate a test against your environment.

Technologies

Your stack

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Your stack

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