CVE-2026-85271 Details
Description
Open edX Platform enables the authoring and delivery of online learning at any scale. From Redwood until Ulmo and Verawood.1, the add_additional_attributes_to_notifications function in openedx/core/djangoapps/notifications/email/utils.py assigns notification content without sanitizing discussion-title values produced by get_notification_content in openedx/core/djangoapps/notifications/base_notification.py. An enrolled student can place CSS-capable markup in the post_title value supplied by lms/djangoapps/discussion/rest_api/discussions_notifications.py. Digest and batched-email rendering then passes that value through openedx/core/djangoapps/notifications/templates/notifications/digest_content.html as safe HTML, allowing email-open tracking and content spoofing or phishing when another learner opens a CSS-rendering client. The immediate-email path is not affected because it strips title markup and renders a separately sanitized body. This issue is fixed in Ulmo and Verawood.1.
A stored CSS injection vulnerability has been identified in the Open edX Platform, affecting versions from Redwood through Ulmo and Verawood.1. The issue arises in the email notification system, specifically within the 'add_additional_attributes_to_notifications' function. This function fails to properly sanitize discussion titles before they are included in email digests. As a result, an enrolled student can inject CSS into a discussion title, which is then rendered as active HTML in email notifications. This exploitation allows for email tracking and content spoofing, particularly when the email is opened in a client that renders CSS, such as Apple Mail or Outlook.
Users can update to the latest version of Open edX Platform, where this vulnerability has been patched. Instructions for updating can be found in the Open edX documentation.
Metrics
CVSS 4.0 Severity and Vector Strings:
VolerionCVSS 3.x Severity and Vector Strings:
No data available for CVSS Version 2.0 on this CVE.
Volerion
Assessed Sep 18, 2026CISA-ADP
Assessed Sep 22, 2026References to Advisories, Solutions, and Tools
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Weakness Enumeration
| CWE-ID | CWE Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CWE-79 | Improper Neutralization of Input During Web Page Generation ('Cross-site Scripting') | [email protected] |
Affected Products
| Product | Versions |
|---|---|
| Open edX Platform | >= redwood |
CPE
Remediation
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Change History
2 change records found show changes
| Date | Action | Recorded By |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 22, 2026 | CVE Modified | CISA-ADP |
| Sep 18, 2026 | New CVE Received | [email protected] |