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Moodle 1.9.7 release notes: Difference between revisions

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Release date: Not yet released
Release date: 25th November 2009
 
'''Important:'''  Upgrading is very highly recommended!
 
Here is [http://tracker.moodle.org/browse/MDL/fixforversion/10360 the full list of fixed issues in 1.9.7].


===Highlights===
===Highlights===
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* Miscellaneous Workshop module fixes (MDL-20668, MDL-7218, MDL-20827)
* Miscellaneous Workshop module fixes (MDL-20668, MDL-7218, MDL-20827)


===Security issues===
===Functional changes===


The following security and privacy fixes relate to the handling of user data and passwords in Moodle backups. (Note that the tracker issues have a security level setting which restricts access.)
* To force users to use stronger passwords that are less susceptible to being cracked the [[Password policy|password policy]] is enabled by default in new installs, and switched on when upgrading to 1.9.7.
:Admins can review their password policy in ''Site Administration > Security > [[Site policies]]''. The default policy requires passwords of at least 8 characters long and containing at least 1 digit, 1 lower case letter, 1 upper case letter and 1 non-alphanumeric character.
* After upgrading to 1.9.7, admins will be asked to change their passwords next time they log in (manual or email based self-registration accounts only).
* To reduce the risk of password theft, a [[Password salting|password salt]] is set in ''config.php'' in new installs and for upgrades, admins are sent an email recommending that they do so.
* Teachers lose permission to include ANY user data in a course backup or restore a course including user data due to new capabilities  [[Capabilities/moodle/backup:userinfo|moodle/backup:userinfo]] and [[Capabilities/moodle/restore:userinfo|moodle/restore:userinfo]] which are not set for the default role of teacher.  Sites with custom roles should check permissions carefully.  Admins can restore those permissions but are informed of the risks in doing so.
* Hashed user passwords are no longer saved in backup files containing user data. If a backup is restored to a new site, users will be asked to go through the "forgot my password" routine the first time they log in.
* Moodle will no longer serve any uploaded Flash files to browsers with old Flash plugins. Admins can set the minimum required Flash player version in ''Site Administration > Security > HTTP Security''.


* MDL-18807 - To greatly reduce the risk of password theft, a password salt is set in ''config.php'' when installing 1.9.7 and for upgrades, a notification message strongly recommends admins to refer to the [[Password salting|password salting documentation]] and set a password salt. In addition, the [[Security overview|security overview report]] gives a warning if no password salt has been set.
===Security issues===
* MDL-18006 - To improve password quality and reduce the chance of md5 lookup attack, the [[Password policy|password policy]] is enabled by default in new installs, and switched on during upgrade to 1.9.7.
:''Tip'': The password policy may be reviewed in ''Administration > Security > [[Site policies]]''. The default policy requires passwords of at least 8 characters long and containing at least 1 digit, 1 lower case letter, 1 upper case letter and 1 non-alphanumeric character.
* MDL-20853 - After upgrading to 1.9.7, admins are prompted to change their password on next login.
* MDL-19608 - To assist admins who might want to force their users to reset their passwords, a force password change option is available in [[Bulk user actions]].
* MDL-20838 - Hashed user passwords are no longer saved in backup files containing user data.
* MDL-20846 - Restore has been fixed to cope with missing user password hashes in backups containing new user data. It will set the password to a special value that prevents login. The next time that user tries to log in with their username on this new site they get an explanation and are led through the standard password recovery process.
* MDL-20834 - A new capability [[Capabilities/moodle/backup:userinfo|moodle/backup:userinfo]] allows admins to choose whether teachers can include user data in a course backup. The capability is allowed for the default admin role only.
* MDL-20849 - A new capability [[Capabilities/moodle/restore:userinfo|moodle/restore:userinfo]] allows admins to choose whether teachers can restore user data from a course backup (including the possible creation of new users). The capability is allowed for the default admin role only.
* MDL-9251 - The option to [[Course backup|backup a course]] with all users on the site is only available to users with the capability moodle/site:backup in the system context. Similarly, the option to [[Course restore|restore a course]] with all users on the site is only available to users with the capability moodle/site:restore in the system context.


Other issues:
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139100 MSA-09-0022] - Multiple CSRF problems fixed
* MDL-20841 - Some versions of the Adobe Flash plugin are known to be vulnerable to attacks from malicious Flash content. A new setting in ''Administration > Security > [[HTTP security]]'' enables admins to set a required Flash player version.
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139102 MSA-09-0023] - Fixed user account disclosure in [[LAMS module]]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139103 MSA-09-0024] - Fixed insufficient access control in [[Glossary module]]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139105 MSA-09-0025] - Unneeded MD5 hashes removed from user table
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139106 MSA-09-0026] - Fixed invalid application access control in MNET interface
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139107 MSA-09-0027] - Ensured login information is always sent secured when using SSL for logins
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139110 MSA-09-0028] - Passwords and secrets are no longer ever saved in backups, new backup capabilities [[Capabilities/moodle/backup:userinfo|moodle/backup:userinfo]] and [[Capabilities/moodle/restore:userinfo|moodle/restore:userinfo]] for controlling who can backup/restore user data, new checks in the [[Security overview|security overview report]] help admins identify dangerous backup permissions
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139111 MSA-09-0029] - A strong [[Password policy|password policy]] is now enabled by default, enabling [[Password salting|password salt]] in encouraged in ''config.php'', admins are forced to change password after the upgrade and admins can force password change on other users via [[Bulk user actions]]
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139119 MSA-09-0030] - New detection of insecure Flash player plugins, Moodle won't serve Flash to insecure plugins
* [http://moodle.org/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=139120 MSA-09-0031] - Fixed SQL injection in [[SCORM module]]


===New language pack===
===New language pack===
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[[fr:Notes de mise à jour de Moodle 1.9.7]]
[[fr:Notes de mise à jour de Moodle 1.9.7]]
[[de:Moodle 1.9.7 Versionsinformationen]]
[[de:Moodle 1.9.7 Versionsinformationen]]
[[es:Notas de Moodle 1.9.7]]

Latest revision as of 21:18, 1 December 2009

Release date: 25th November 2009

Important: Upgrading is very highly recommended!

Here is the full list of fixed issues in 1.9.7.

Highlights

Functional changes

  • To force users to use stronger passwords that are less susceptible to being cracked the password policy is enabled by default in new installs, and switched on when upgrading to 1.9.7.
Admins can review their password policy in Site Administration > Security > Site policies. The default policy requires passwords of at least 8 characters long and containing at least 1 digit, 1 lower case letter, 1 upper case letter and 1 non-alphanumeric character.
  • After upgrading to 1.9.7, admins will be asked to change their passwords next time they log in (manual or email based self-registration accounts only).
  • To reduce the risk of password theft, a password salt is set in config.php in new installs and for upgrades, admins are sent an email recommending that they do so.
  • Teachers lose permission to include ANY user data in a course backup or restore a course including user data due to new capabilities moodle/backup:userinfo and moodle/restore:userinfo which are not set for the default role of teacher. Sites with custom roles should check permissions carefully. Admins can restore those permissions but are informed of the risks in doing so.
  • Hashed user passwords are no longer saved in backup files containing user data. If a backup is restored to a new site, users will be asked to go through the "forgot my password" routine the first time they log in.
  • Moodle will no longer serve any uploaded Flash files to browsers with old Flash plugins. Admins can set the minimum required Flash player version in Site Administration > Security > HTTP Security.

Security issues

New language pack

  • Dhivehi - Ahmed Shareef, Moosa Ali, Amir Hussein

(See Translation credits for additional details.)

See also