CVE-2005-4337 in Academic Suite
Summary
by MITRE
The login page in 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 bypass authentication and gain privileges as other users via a modified user_id parameter and a "/" in the encoded_pw parameter.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-4337 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw within the Blackboard Learning and Community Portal System Academic Suite versions 6.3.1.424, 6.2.3.23, and earlier releases. This issue fundamentally undermines the system's security model by allowing unauthorized remote attackers to assume the identities of legitimate users without proper credentials. The vulnerability specifically targets the login page implementation where the authentication mechanism fails to properly validate user input parameters, creating a pathway for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability relies on manipulating two specific parameters within the authentication request process. Attackers can modify the user_id parameter to target specific user accounts while simultaneously incorporating a forward slash character within the encoded_pw parameter to manipulate the authentication flow. This combination of parameter manipulation exploits a lack of proper input validation and sanitization within the system's authentication layer. The vulnerability stems from the system's failure to properly validate and sanitize user input before processing authentication requests, allowing maliciously crafted parameters to bypass normal authentication checks.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to educational institutions using Blackboard Academic Suite systems. Successful exploitation enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to user accounts, potentially compromising student records, course materials, and administrative functions. The remote nature of this attack means that threat actors can exploit the vulnerability from outside the network perimeter without requiring physical access or prior credentials. This creates a significant risk for data breaches, unauthorized modifications to learning content, and potential disruption of educational services. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the Academic Suite, indicating a widespread issue that would impact numerous educational institutions simultaneously.
The underlying technical flaw aligns with CWE-285, which addresses improper authorization issues, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-20, focusing on input validation vulnerabilities. This authentication bypass vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation techniques. The exploitation pattern suggests that the system's authentication module fails to properly implement secure parameter handling, allowing attackers to manipulate the authentication flow through crafted input values. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to the latest versions, implementing proper input validation controls, and monitoring for suspicious authentication attempts. Additional defensive measures such as rate limiting on authentication attempts and network segmentation can help reduce the attack surface while the permanent fix is implemented.
The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of proper authentication implementation in educational technology platforms where sensitive user data and academic content are stored. Given the widespread use of Blackboard systems in educational institutions, this vulnerability represents a significant security risk that requires immediate attention and remediation to protect student privacy and institutional integrity.