---
id: "CVE-2026-119553"
kind: "vulnerability"
aliases: ["CVE-2026-119553"]
title: "Moodle: crafted Blackboard question import reads server files"
severity: "high"
cvss: 7.1
epss: null
exploited: false
status: "open"
category: "runtime"
products: [{"name": "moodle", "fixed": [], "affected": "5.3.0; >= 5.2.0, <= 5.2.4; >= 5.1.0, <= 5.1.8; >= 5.0.0, <= 5.0.11; <= 4.5.15", "ecosystem": "vendor"}]
ecosystems: []
tags: ["file-read", "lms", "moodle", "path-traversal", "php", "runtime", "self-hosted"]
not_affected_if: ["managed-hosting", "no-untrusted-editors"]
published_at: "2026-10-30T12:16:42+00:00"
first_seen_at: "2026-10-30T12:30:26+00:00"
updated_at: "2026-10-30T12:33:39+00:00"
sources: [{"source": "nvd", "url": "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-119553", "first_seen_at": "2026-10-30T12:30:26+00:00"}, {"source": "analyst", "url": null, "first_seen_at": "2026-10-30T12:33:39+00:00"}]
---

# Moodle: crafted Blackboard question import reads server files

Moodle's Blackboard question import accepts zip files whose image paths contain ../ sequences, so a teacher can copy server files such as config.php into their own draft area. An attacker who can import questions can read server configuration, which may include database credentials.

_Summary, check and fix written by a model from the sources; labelled as such._

## Affected

- vendor:moodle affected 5.3.0; >= 5.2.0, <= 5.2.4; >= 5.1.0, <= 5.1.8; >= 5.0.0, <= 5.0.11; <= 4.5.15 fixed ?

## How to check

- Check the installed Moodle version in the admin dashboard or `version.php` under the Moodle root.
- Confirm whether the installed version falls in 5.3.0, 5.2.0 through 5.2.4, 5.1.0 through 5.1.8, 5.0.0 through 5.0.11, or up to 4.5.15.

## Fix

unknown: no fixed release published yet; watch https://moodle.org/security/ for the MSA and upgrade each branch to its fixed release

## Timeline

- 2026-10-30T12:30:26+00:00 nvd https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-119553
- 2026-10-30T12:33:39+00:00 analyst — No Moodle MSA found yet; fixed versions unknown (VulnCheck lists through 5.3.0/5.2.4/5.1.8/5.0.11/4.5.15 as affected). Researcher Abraxas Labs published 12 Oct with lab gadget PoC (not full Moodle); fix suggested: clean_param PARAM_PATH on img src in formatbase.php text_field. Teacher-only; students 403. MDL-75237 commits are an older sibling fix, not this one. Nothing verified: no vendor page.

## Documents

- [advisory] VulnCheck: Moodle Blackboard Import Path Traversal https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/moodle-through-5.3.0-5.2.4-5.1.8-5.0.11-and-4.5.15-blackboard-import-path-traversal
- [describes] Abraxas Labs: Moodle, Blackboard img src file read https://abraxaslabs.tech/research/moodle-blackboard-img

## From the sources

Moodle 5.3.0, 5.2.0 through 5.2.4, 5.1.0 through 5.1.8, 5.0.0 through 5.0.11, and through 4.5.15 contains a path traversal vulnerability in the Blackboard question import format. Teachers with question import or lesson edit rights can upload a crafted zip with img src values containing ../ sequences, copying server files like config.php into their draft area.

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_Free to read at a human pace. An API with keys and an MCP server are in preparation; early access: hello@infrastack.ai_