CBSE admits security breach in OSM after digital platform hacked twice
According to the board, the identified vulnerabilities have been contained and efforts are underway to ensure that no other exploitable weaknesses remain in the system
PTC News Desk: Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding its On-Screen Marking (OSM) system, the Central Board of Secondary Education has acknowledged vulnerabilities in the digital platform used for evaluating Class 12 answer sheets, marking a shift from its earlier position that the concerns were linked only to an incorrect URL and a testing portal rather than a security issue.
In a post on X, CBSE said it is closely monitoring vulnerabilities identified in the OSM portal operated by its service provider after concerns were raised publicly. The development comes amid growing scrutiny of the board's digital evaluation system, with students expressing concerns, ethical hackers highlighting potential security flaws and questions being raised about the tender process through which the contract was awarded.
In an official statement, CBSE said that a team of cybersecurity experts from various government agencies and prestigious institutions, including Indian Institutes of Technology, has been working over the past several days to strengthen the platform's security framework.
According to the board, the identified vulnerabilities have been contained and efforts are underway to ensure that no other exploitable weaknesses remain in the system. CBSE also stated that the portal is being migrated to a more secure infrastructure as part of ongoing security enhancement measures.
The board thanked alert citizens and ethical hackers who reported potential vulnerabilities, acknowledging their contribution in helping improve the platform's security. CBSE said it has already contacted some of these individuals directly and appreciated their efforts.
The board has also invited others who may have discovered security issues or vulnerabilities in the system to share their findings with its security team through email.
The statement comes as the OnMark portal continues to face scrutiny over its security and reliability, with CBSE maintaining that corrective steps are being taken to safeguard the system and strengthen its digital evaluation process.