CVE-2004-1872 in WebCT Campus Edition
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in WebCT Campus Edition 4.1.1.5 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the @import URL function in a CSS style tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1872 represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within WebCT Campus Edition 4.1.1.5 that enables remote attackers to execute malicious code through crafted CSS style tags containing the @import URL function. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically manifesting as a reflected XSS attack vector that exploits improper input validation and output encoding mechanisms within the web application's CSS processing functionality.
The technical exploitation occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input that is subsequently rendered within CSS style tags. Attackers can leverage the @import URL function to reference malicious external resources, effectively bypassing traditional security controls that might filter other types of input. The vulnerability exists because the application does not adequately validate or escape special characters and script tags that could be embedded within CSS style declarations, allowing attackers to inject arbitrary HTML and JavaScript code that executes in the context of other users' browsers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft or defacement, as it provides attackers with persistent access to user sessions and potentially sensitive educational data within the campus learning management system. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute malicious scripts in the victim's browser, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or data exfiltration. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it leverages legitimate CSS functionality, making it harder to detect through standard security monitoring mechanisms and potentially bypassing security controls that focus on more obvious injection points.
Organizations implementing WebCT Campus Edition 4.1.1.5 should immediately implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding measures to prevent CSS injection attacks. The mitigation strategy must include strict sanitization of all user-supplied content that is rendered within CSS contexts, particularly focusing on the @import directive and other CSS functions that can reference external resources. Security controls should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level input validation, web application firewalls, and proper output encoding to ensure that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before reaching end users. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and the need for robust security controls in educational technology platforms that handle sensitive user data and maintain persistent user sessions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content and T1059.007 for command and control through script-based attacks, demonstrating how seemingly benign CSS functionality can become a vector for sophisticated attacks against educational institutions.