E-Learning
Moodle 1.9.8 Tackles Security Vulnerabilities
Moodle has released an update to its open source learning management system for Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux. Moodle 1.9.8 includes a number of small improvements and bug fixes but also addresses nine security vulnerabilities, including two that Moodle developers have labeled as "critical" and five as "major." Moodle has also released a parallel update to the 1.8 branch, version 1.8.12, which includes comparable changes.
Moodle is the most widely adopted learning management system available, with nearly 1.2 million teachers using it and more than 33.5 million users participating in more than 3.3 million courses at more than 46,000 validated sites worldwide. Moodle supports both small and large deployments (with several sites well beyond 100,000 users) and includes course management tools, various Web 2.0 technologies, online assessments, and other features common to learning management systems.
In the latest release, the two critical security issues that were addressed include a SQL injection vulnerability in the Wiki module and a forms validation problem. It also fixed problems with cross-site scripting affecting implementations where global search is enabled and a problem that would allow regular users to find the user names of others enrolled in a course. A complete list of security vulnerabilities addressed in the latest releases can be found here.)
In the category of other enhancements, version 1.9.8 improves restoration of student data in course backups and also improves SCORM module restore. Several minor fixes are also included, such as a Firefox issue with the Chameleon theme, a problem with viewing LDAP authentication settings, and an issue with statistics generation.
Moodle developers are recommending the 1.9.8 and 1.8.12 update for all current users. Further information, including a full list of bug fixes and improvements, can be found here.
About the Author
Executive Producer David Nagel heads up the editorial department for 1105 Media's education publications — which include two daily sites, a variety of newsletters and two monthly digital magazines covering technology in both K-12 and higher education.
A 21-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art and business publications.
He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/profile/view?id=10390192 or follow him on Twitter at @THEJournalDave (K-12) or @CampusTechDave (higher education). A selection of David Nagel's articles can be found on this site.