# CVE-2024-43426: Moodle: arbitrary file read risk through pdftex

> An attacker can read arbitrary files on Moodle sites using the TeX notation filter if pdfTeX is installed, exposing sensitive data.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** Yes
- **Published:** 7 Nov 2024
- **Updated:** 10 Feb 2025
- **Also known as:** BIT-moodle-2024-43426, GHSA-vjmm-r9gg-425m, UBUNTU-CVE-2024-43426

## What is CVE-2024-43426?

CVE-2024-43426 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Moodle Moodle, published on 7 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

A flaw was found in pdfTeX. Insufficient sanitizing in the TeX notation filter resulted in an arbitrary file read risk on sites where pdfTeX is available, such as those with TeX Live installed.

Weakness: CWE-1287 (Improper Validation of Specified Type of Input)

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2024-43426?

9 open source packages ship an affected version, including moodle/moodle and moodle. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | All versions | 4.1.12 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | All versions | 4.1.12 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.2.0-beta | 4.2.9 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.2.0-beta | 4.2.9 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.3.0-beta | 4.3.6 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.3.0-beta | 4.3.6 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.4.0-beta | 4.4.2 |
| `moodle/moodle` | Packagist | From 4.4.0-beta | 4.4.2 |
| `moodle` | Bitnami | From 4.1.0 | 4.1.12, 4.2.9, 4.3.6, 4.4.2 |

Products: Moodle Moodle.

## How do I fix CVE-2024-43426?

Upgrade moodle/moodle to a fixed version for your release line: 4.1.12, 4.2.9, 4.3.6 or 4.4.2.

## Is CVE-2024-43426 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-43426 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Moodle Moodle

- [CVE-2006-4935](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-4935/): File upload in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2006-4936](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2006-4936/): Moodle does not properly validate module instance id (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2004-2233](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2233/): Unknown "front page vulnerability with Moodle servers" for Moodle before 1.3.2 has unknown impact and attack vectors. (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2004-2235](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2235/): Cross-site scripting in n/a (critical 10.0)
- [CVE-2004-2236](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2004-2236/): Other in n/a (critical 10.0)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2024-43426 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2024-43426 is a high-severity path traversal vulnerability in Moodle Moodle, published on 7 Nov 2024. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2024-43426 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 4.1.12
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected all versions; fixed in 4.1.12
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.2.0-beta; fixed in 4.2.9
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.2.0-beta; fixed in 4.2.9
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.3.0-beta; fixed in 4.3.6
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.3.0-beta; fixed in 4.3.6
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.4.0-beta; fixed in 4.4.2
- moodle/moodle (Packagist): affected from 4.4.0-beta; fixed in 4.4.2
- moodle (Bitnami): affected from 4.1.0; fixed in 4.1.12, 4.2.9, 4.3.6, 4.4.2

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43426/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43426/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2024-43426
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2024-43426
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2024-43426

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2024-43426/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.