CVE-2005-4206 in Blackboard Learning And Community Post Systems
Summary
by MITRE
Blackboard Learning and Community Portal System in Academic Suite 6.3.1.424, 6.2.3.23, and other versions before 6 allows remote attackers to redirect users to other URLs and conduct phishing attacks via a modified url parameter to frameset.jsp, which loads the URL into a frame and causes it to appear to be part of a valid page.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4206 represents a critical cross-site scripting and open redirect flaw within the Blackboard Learning and Community Portal System Academic Suite versions 6.3.1.424, 6.2.3.23, and other affected releases. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied URL parameters, specifically within the frameset.jsp component of the application. The flaw enables malicious actors to manipulate the application's behavior by crafting specially crafted URLs that contain modified parameters, thereby exploiting the system's trust in user input to execute unauthorized redirections.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs through the frameset.jsp script which processes URL parameters without proper validation or sanitization. When a user accesses a maliciously crafted URL containing an altered parameter, the system loads the specified external URL within an iframe or frame context, making it appear as though the content originates from a legitimate Blackboard page. This creates a deceptive user experience where victims are led to believe they are navigating within the trusted academic portal environment while actually being directed to external malicious websites. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and leverages the trust relationship between the user and the portal system to bypass security controls.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple phishing attacks to encompass significant security risks for educational institutions utilizing affected Blackboard versions. Attackers can leverage this flaw to redirect users to malicious domains that host malware, steal login credentials, or conduct social engineering campaigns targeting the academic community. The deceptive nature of the attack, where legitimate-looking pages display malicious content, makes it particularly effective for credential harvesting and data theft. Organizations using these vulnerable versions face potential exposure of sensitive student and institutional data, as well as reputational damage from successful phishing campaigns that compromise user trust in the learning management system.
Security mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and parameter sanitization within the frameset.jsp component. Organizations must implement proper URL validation mechanisms that verify external destinations against a whitelist of approved domains or apply strict sanitization routines to prevent arbitrary URL loading. The remediation process requires updating to Blackboard Academic Suite versions 6.3.1.424, 6.2.3.23, and other patched releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, network-level controls such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional layers of protection by monitoring and blocking suspicious URL patterns. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-601 and CWE-79 categories, representing open redirect vulnerabilities and cross-site scripting issues respectively, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1566 for phishing attacks and T1071 for application layer protocols. Regular security assessments and input validation testing should be implemented to prevent similar vulnerabilities in future deployments and maintain the integrity of educational technology platforms.