CVE-2004-0227 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the zms script in ZoneMinder before 1.19.2 may allow a remote attacker to execute arbitrary code via a long query string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0227 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the zms script component of ZoneMinder surveillance software prior to version 1.19.2. This issue resides in the handling of query string parameters and creates a pathway for remote code execution attacks. ZoneMinder is a widely deployed open-source video management software used for security camera monitoring and recording, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations relying on surveillance infrastructure. The buffer overflow occurs when the zms script processes incoming HTTP requests containing excessively long query strings without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's execution space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the zms script's parameter processing logic. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious HTTP request with an overly long query string, the script fails to enforce length limitations before copying the data into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition enables attackers to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical memory segments, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the ZoneMinder process. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows data to be written beyond allocated buffer space. Attackers can exploit this by carefully crafting payload data that overflows the buffer and redirects program execution flow to malicious code injected into the memory space.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-0227 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can compromise entire surveillance systems and potentially provide attackers with persistent access to network infrastructure. Organizations using vulnerable ZoneMinder installations face risks including unauthorized surveillance access, data exfiltration, and potential lateral movement within their network environments. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing surveillance deployments. Security researchers have documented similar exploitation patterns in other network services, where buffer overflows have been leveraged to establish backdoors, escalate privileges, and maintain persistent access. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in network services, as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten and MITRE ATT&CK framework's technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates to ZoneMinder version 1.19.2 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation for query string parameters. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to ZoneMinder services, deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious query string patterns, and consider implementing web application firewalls to filter malicious requests. The vulnerability's classification as a buffer overflow makes it susceptible to exploitation using techniques such as return-oriented programming or stack pivoting, which attackers may employ to bypass modern security protections like DEP and ASLR. System administrators should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected components within their surveillance infrastructure and ensure proper access controls are implemented for ZoneMinder management interfaces. Regular security audits and patch management processes are essential to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other network services that may be running on the same infrastructure.