CVE-2009-4930 in Banner Student
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the twbkwbis.P_SecurityQuestion (aka Change Security Question) page in SunGard Banner Student System 7.4 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the New Question field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2018
The CVE-2009-4930 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw within the SunGard Banner Student System version 7.4, specifically affecting the twbkwbis.P_SecurityQuestion component responsible for changing security questions. This vulnerability resides in the web application's input validation mechanisms, where user-supplied data from the New Question field is not properly sanitized before being rendered back to users. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute malicious scripts within the context of other users' browsers, potentially compromising the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive student information managed through this academic system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker submits malicious script code through the New Question input field, which then gets stored in the system's database and subsequently displayed on the security question page without proper HTML escaping or sanitization. This creates an environment where any user who views the modified security question content becomes vulnerable to script execution, as the web application fails to implement adequate output encoding or content security policies. The vulnerability is classified as a classic reflected XSS issue under CWE-79, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of input during web page generation, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1566.001 for initial access through malicious web content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script injection, as it could enable attackers to steal session cookies, redirect users to malicious sites, or perform actions on behalf of authenticated users within the Banner system. Given that Banner systems typically handle sensitive student data including personal information, academic records, and financial details, this vulnerability could lead to unauthorized data access, identity theft, or system compromise. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication and can be exploited through simple web-based payloads, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users interact with the system. Organizations using this software face potential regulatory compliance violations under standards such as FERPA and HIPAA, depending on the type of data stored.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4930 should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the application. The most effective immediate solution involves sanitizing all user inputs before storage and properly encoding output data when rendering content back to users. This includes implementing strict HTML escaping for all dynamic content, employing Content Security Policy headers, and conducting regular security code reviews to identify similar input validation gaps. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls, regular vulnerability scanning, and comprehensive user education regarding suspicious web content. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of all input fields and user interface components to ensure that similar XSS vulnerabilities do not exist in other parts of the Banner system, as this represents a systemic security weakness requiring architectural review and defensive programming practices across the entire application stack.