CVE-2025-63564

Executive Summary

CVE-2025-63564 is a critical SQL injection vulnerability in the Moodle Socialwall plugin, affecting versions 3.0 through 3.3. The flaw allows unauthenticated, remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted HTTP requests, potentially leading to complete compromise of the Moodle instance and its underlying database. With a CVSS score of 9.8, this vulnerability poses an immediate and severe risk to any organization deploying the affected plugin, as no official patch or workaround is currently available.

Technical Analysis

The vulnerability is classified as CWE-89: SQL Injection. This class of flaw occurs when user-supplied input is incorporated into a SQL query without proper sanitization or parameterization, allowing an attacker to alter the query's structure and execute arbitrary SQL commands. In the context of the Moodle Socialwall plugin v3.0 through v3.3, the NVD description states that crafted HTTP requests can trigger this SQL injection. The exact vulnerable parameter, endpoint, or function is not specified in the available data, so the precise injection point cannot be named. However, the mechanism is consistent with typical SQL injection: an attacker submits a request containing SQL metacharacters (e.g., single quotes, comment sequences, UNION operators) to an unsanitized input field processed by the plugin. The database then interprets part of the input as SQL code, enabling the attacker to manipulate query logic.

Given the CVSS vector (AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H), the attack is network-accessible, requires no authentication or user interaction, and leads to high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The "allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code" phrasing in the description suggests that the SQL injection can be escalated to remote code execution, likely through database features (e.g., writing files, invoking system commands via database functions) or by leveraging database privileges to compromise the underlying operating system. However, no specific code-level details are provided in the NVD description, so the exact escalation path remains unspecified.

The Moodle Socialwall plugin is a third-party extension that adds social networking features to Moodle. Its attack surface includes any web-accessible endpoint that processes user input for database queries. Since the plugin is typically installed within a Moodle site, the vulnerable component is exposed to the internet if the Moodle instance is public-facing. The lack of authentication requirements (PR:N) means that any remote attacker can attempt exploitation without valid credentials.

Exploitation Scenarios

No public PoC or exploit code is available; the attack chain is inferred from the vulnerability class (SQL injection) and the NVD description.

1. Reconnaissance/target identification: An attacker scans for Moodle instances that have the Socialwall plugin installed. This can be done via Shodan dorks such as http.html:"Socialwall" or by fingerprinting the plugin's specific endpoints. The attacker identifies a target running Socialwall v3.0 through v3.3.

2. Triggering the flaw: The attacker sends a crafted HTTP request to a vulnerable endpoint within the Socialwall plugin. The request includes malicious SQL payloads in parameters that are not properly sanitized. Because the vulnerability is unauthenticated, no login is required. The exact endpoint and parameter are not disclosed in the available data, but typical injection points in plugins include search fields, form submissions, or AJAX handlers that query the database.

3. Payload/execution method: The attacker injects SQL code designed to manipulate the backend database. Depending on the database system (e.g., MySQL, PostgreSQL) and its configuration, the attacker could use techniques such as UNION-based injection, error-based injection, or blind injection to extract data. The NVD description indicates that the ultimate impact is arbitrary code execution, which may be achieved by using SQL injection to write a web shell to the filesystem (if the database user has FILE privileges) or by executing operating system commands through database functions (e.g., xp_cmdshell on MSSQL, COPY TO/FROM PROGRAM on PostgreSQL). Specific payloads cannot be provided without knowledge of the exact injection point.

4. Post-exploitation impact: Successful exploitation grants the attacker high-level control over the Moodle database and potentially the web server. They can read, modify, or delete sensitive data (user credentials, course content, personal information), escalate privileges within the application, and execute arbitrary code on the server. This could lead to full site compromise, data breaches, and lateral movement within the network.

Impact Assessment

The CVSS score of 9.8 reflects the critical nature of this vulnerability. The impact subscores are all High: Confidentiality (C:H), Integrity (I:H), and Availability (A:H). This means a successful attack can result in:

• Confidentiality: Unauthorized access to all data stored in the Moodle database, including user credentials (password hashes), personal identifiable information, private course materials, and potentially other integrated systems' data.
• Integrity: The attacker can alter or delete any data, inject malicious content, or manipulate grades and records.
• Availability: The attacker can disrupt Moodle services, delete critical data, or cause denial of service.

The blast radius is significant: any organization using the affected Moodle Socialwall plugin is at risk. Given that Moodle is widely used in educational institutions, corporate training, and government agencies, the potential for data breaches and service disruption is high. The lack of authentication required means that any internet-facing Moodle site with the plugin is immediately vulnerable.

Detection Guidance

Sigma Rule

title: SQL Injection Attempt Against Moodle Socialwall Plugin
id: 7f8a1b2c-3d4e-5f6a-7b8c-9d0e1f2a3b4c
status: experimental
description: Detects potential SQL injection attempts targeting the Moodle Socialwall plugin (CVE-2025-63564)
author: Threat Intelligence Team
date: 2025-04-08
logsource:
    category: webserver
    product: apache
detection:
    selection:
        cs-method: 'GET'
        cs-uri-query|contains:
            - 'UNION'
            - 'SELECT'
            - 'CONCAT'
            - 'information_schema'
            - 'xp_cmdshell'
            - 'SLEEP('
            - 'BENCHMARK('
            - "' OR '1'='1"
    condition: selection
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate use of SQL keywords in search queries
level: high
tags:
    - attack.t1190
    - cve.2025.63564

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2025_63564_SQLi_Socialwall
{
    meta:
        description = "Detects SQL injection patterns in HTTP requests targeting Moodle Socialwall plugin"
        author = "Threat Intelligence Team"
        date = "2025-04-08"
        reference = "CVE-2025-63564"
        severity = "critical"
    strings:
        $sqli1 = "UNION SELECT" nocase
        $sqli2 = "OR 1=1" nocase
        $sqli3 = "information_schema" nocase
        $sqli4 = "xp_cmdshell" nocase
        $sqli5 = "SLEEP(" nocase
        $sqli6 = "BENCHMARK(" nocase
        $socialwall = "socialwall" nocase
    condition:
        any of ($sqli*) and $socialwall
}

Suricata IDS Rule

alert http any any -> any any (msg:"CVE-2025-63564 SQL Injection Attempt Against Moodle Socialwall Plugin"; flow:to_server,established; content:"socialwall"; http_uri; nocase; content:"UNION"; http_uri; nocase; content:"SELECT"; http_uri; nocase; distance:0; within:20; reference:cve,2025-63564; classtype:web-application-attack; sid:10000001; rev:1;)

Elastic Detection

sequence by host.id with maxspan=5s
  [network where network.protocol == "http" and url.path : "*socialwall*" and url.query : ("*UNION*" or "*SELECT*" or "*information_schema*" or "*xp_cmdshell*")]
  [network where network.protocol == "http" and http.response.status_code == 200 and url.path : "*socialwall*"]

Splunk SPL Query

index=web sourcetype=access_combined
| search uri="*socialwall*" (uri_query="*UNION*" OR uri_query="*SELECT*" OR uri_query="*information_schema*" OR uri_query="*xp_cmdshell*" OR uri_query="*SLEEP(*" OR uri_query="*BENCHMARK(*")
| stats count by clientip, uri, uri_query, status
| where status=200
| sort - count

Wazuh OSSEC Rule

<group name="web,appsec,">
  <rule id="100100" level="12">
    <if_sid>31100</if_sid>
    <field name="url">socialwall</field>
    <field name="url">UNION|SELECT|information_schema|xp_cmdshell|SLEEP\(|BENCHMARK\(</field>
    <description>CVE-2025-63564: SQL Injection attempt against Moodle Socialwall plugin</description>
    <mitre>
      <id>T1190</id>
    </mitre>
    <group>cve_2025_63564,</group>
  </rule>
</group>

Mitigation & Patch Guidance

Patch confidence: 0/4 (UNPATCHED — no patch evidence from any tracked source).

1. Immediate mitigations:

   • Disable or remove the Moodle Socialwall plugin until a patch is available. This is the most effective way to eliminate the vulnerability.
   • If the plugin cannot be removed, restrict access to the affected endpoints using network controls (e.g., IP whitelisting, WAF rules) to block SQL injection patterns.
   • Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF) with virtual patching rules that detect and block SQL injection attempts targeting the Socialwall plugin.
   • Ensure the database user for Moodle has minimal privileges (e.g., no FILE, no xp_cmdshell) to reduce the impact of a successful SQL injection.

2. Patch/upgrade steps:

   • Monitor the official Moodle plugin repository and the vendor's security advisories for an updated version of the Socialwall plugin. As of this report, no patch is available. Once released, upgrade to the patched version immediately.
   • If no patch is forthcoming, consider replacing the plugin with an alternative that is actively maintained.

3. Long-term hardening:

   • Implement a vulnerability management program that regularly scans for third-party plugin vulnerabilities.
   • Enforce the principle of least privilege for all database accounts used by web applications.
   • Conduct secure code reviews for custom plugins and ensure input validation and parameterized queries are used.
   • Keep Moodle core and all plugins up to date with security patches.

References

• NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-63564
• Moodle Plugin Directory (Socialwall): https://moodle.org/plugins/mod_socialwall
• Moodle Security Advisories: https://moodle.org/security/
• CWE-89: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/89.html
• CISA KEV: Not applicable (CVE-2025-63564 is not listed in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog as of this report).