Description

Mahara before 25.04.5 and 26.04.0 is vulnerable in the Text block/section functionality when a call is crafted in a certain way that allows it to recall the backed-up content from another Text section.

Executive Summary

Technical Details

Mitigations

References

Additional Metadata

{
  "score": "9.8",
  "pubDate": "2026-08-17T23:16:52.123Z",
  "pubdate": "2026-08-17T23:16:52.123Z",
  "executiveSummary": "Mahara before versions 25.04.5 and 26.04.0 contains an improper access control vulnerability within the Text block/section functionality. This flaw allows an unauthorized or lower-privileged entity to craft specific calls that recall and expose backed-up content originating from entirely separate Text sections. The operational impact includes unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information stored within isolated or historical block backups across the platform. The vulnerability affects Mahara deployments running vulnerable version branches prior to the specified patches. Risk implications involve confidentiality breaches, where proprietary or private data encapsulated in text sections becomes accessible via crafted input parameters. Attacker capabilities rely on interacting with the Text block functionality and submitting manipulated requests designed to bypass boundary checks. Exploitation requirements necessitate the ability to interface with the vulnerable Text block components and construct specific call vectors capable of triggering the unintended backup retrieval mechanism.",
  "technicalDetails": "The vulnerability resides within the Text block/section functionality of Mahara, specifically in how the application handles requests related to block content backups and retrieval mechanisms. The root cause stems from insufficient validation and authorization checks when processing calls intended to fetch historical or backed-up data. Consequently, the component fails to properly enforce context boundaries, allowing a request to cross-reference and extract state information belonging to other arbitrary Text sections. The vulnerable component is the Text block management and rendering subsystem responsible for maintaining block states and backup histories. Affected versions comprise all Mahara instances prior to release 25.04.5 and version 26.04.0. Network exposure is coextensive with the web interface accessibility of the Mahara platform. While specific privilege requirements are constrained by the attacker's ability to interact with the Text block feature, the flaw bypasses intended logical segmentation between distinct sections. The exploitation method follows a specific attack flow: First, the malicious actor identifies or interacts with the Text block/section interface. Second, the actor crafts a specialized call utilizing parameter manipulation or specific input structures designed to target the backup retrieval logic. Third, the application processes the malformed request without adequately verifying whether the caller possesses the authorization to access the specific backed-up content identifier supplied in the payload. Fourth, the backend subsystem queries and recalls the backed-up content from a separate Text section, returning the unauthorized data within the application response. The payload behavior involves directing internal content pointers to unauthorized storage locations or historical iterations. The post-exploitation impact centers on unauthorized information disclosure, enabling attackers to harvest sensitive textual data, drafts, or administrative notes previously persisted within other sections of the platform."
}