CVE-2002-1007 in Blackboard
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting vulnerabilities in Blackboard 5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary web script via (1) the course_id parameter in a link to login.pl, (2) the CTID parameter in ProcessInfo.cgi, or (3) the Message parameter in index.cgi.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1007 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw affecting Blackboard 5 learning management system. This vulnerability resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically targeting three distinct entry points within the application's authentication and content management interfaces. The flaw allows remote attackers to inject malicious script code that executes in the context of other users' browsers, potentially leading to session hijacking, data theft, or unauthorized actions within the system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through three specific parameter manipulation vectors that bypass proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms. The first vector involves the course_id parameter within the login.pl script, where unfiltered user input is directly incorporated into dynamic web content without appropriate encoding or sanitization. The second vector targets the CTID parameter in ProcessInfo.cgi, while the third operates through the Message parameter in index.cgi, all of which suffer from identical input processing flaws. These parameters are processed by the web application without adequate protection against script injection attacks, allowing attackers to craft malicious URLs that when executed by unsuspecting users, trigger the execution of arbitrary JavaScript code in their browser context.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to educational institutions utilizing Blackboard 5 systems, as it enables attackers to exploit the trust relationship between users and the application. The impact extends beyond simple script execution to potential privilege escalation and data compromise, as attackers can manipulate user sessions, access confidential course materials, or perform unauthorized administrative actions. The vulnerability affects the core authentication and information display functionalities of the platform, making it particularly dangerous for environments where sensitive academic data and user credentials are processed. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet without requiring local access to the system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in web interfaces. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1566 for social engineering and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers can leverage the XSS capability to establish persistent access or escalate privileges. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that these parameters are likely accessed through standard navigation paths within the learning management system, making exploitation relatively straightforward for attackers with basic knowledge of web application security principles.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate implementation of input validation and output encoding mechanisms across all affected parameters within the Blackboard 5 application. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious script injection attempts, while also implementing proper parameter sanitization that removes or encodes potentially dangerous characters. The most effective long-term solution involves upgrading to a supported version of Blackboard that addresses these security flaws, as the vendor has likely released patches or updates to resolve these vulnerabilities. Additionally, security awareness training for administrators should emphasize the importance of monitoring for unusual parameter usage and implementing comprehensive logging mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts.