CVE-2021-44197 in Student Information Management System
Summary
by MITRE • 03/07/2023
Improper Neutralization of Script-Related HTML Tags in a Web Page (Basic XSS) vulnerability in UBIT Information Technologies Student Information Management System.
This issue affects Student Information Management System: before 20211126.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2026
The CVE-2021-44197 vulnerability represents a classic cross-site scripting flaw within the UBIT Information Technologies Student Information Management System, specifically categorized under CWE-79 as improper neutralization of script-related HTML tags. This vulnerability exists in the web application's handling of user input within HTML contexts, where malicious scripts can be injected and executed in the browser of unsuspecting users. The affected system version predates the 20211126 release, indicating that organizations using older iterations of this student information management platform remain at risk from this persistent weakness.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application fails to properly sanitize or escape user-supplied data before rendering it within HTML pages. Attackers can craft malicious input containing HTML tags such as <script>, <img>, or other potentially dangerous elements that get interpreted by web browsers when displayed to users. This basic form of XSS allows threat actors to execute arbitrary JavaScript code within the victim's browser context, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or redirection to malicious sites. The vulnerability's classification as "basic XSS" suggests it operates within a simple HTML context without complex sanitization requirements, making it particularly accessible for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate the entire user interface of the student information management system. An attacker could inject malicious scripts that modify displayed data, redirect users to phishing sites, or even create backdoors for persistent access. Given that this system manages student information, the potential for data breaches increases significantly, as attackers could access sensitive academic records, personal identification details, or other confidential information. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the platform by compromising user trust and potentially disrupting educational administrative processes.
Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms to address this vulnerability, aligning with defensive practices outlined in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for script injection. Mitigation strategies must include proper HTML escaping of all user-generated content, implementation of Content Security Policies, and regular security assessments of web applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of timely patch management and version control, as the issue was resolved in the 20211126 release, emphasizing the need for organizations to maintain current software versions and monitor security advisories from vendors. Additionally, implementing proper web application firewalls and conducting regular penetration testing can provide additional layers of protection against such script-based attacks.