CVE-2008-3882 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified "Command Injection" vulnerability in ZoneMinder 1.23.3 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via (1) the executeFilter function in zm_html_view_events.php and (2) the run_state parameter to zm_html_view_state.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3882 represents a critical command injection flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.23.3 and earlier systems. This security weakness exists in the web-based management interface of the popular open-source video surveillance software, creating a significant risk for remote attackers who can exploit the vulnerability to execute arbitrary commands on the affected system. The flaw manifests through two distinct attack vectors that target different components of the ZoneMinder web interface, specifically the executeFilter function within zm_html_view_events.php and the run_state parameter in zm_html_view_state.php.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77, which categorizes command injection as a serious weakness where user-supplied data is directly incorporated into system commands without proper validation or sanitization. Attackers can manipulate the input parameters to inject malicious commands that get executed by the underlying operating system. This occurs because the application fails to properly escape or validate user input before passing it to system-level functions, allowing attackers to bypass normal security controls and gain unauthorized access to the system's command execution capabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple data compromise, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected ZoneMinder system. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute commands with the privileges of the web server process, potentially escalating their access to full system control. This could enable malicious actors to install backdoors, exfiltrate surveillance data, modify system configurations, or use the compromised system as a pivot point for attacking other networked devices. The distributed nature of surveillance systems makes this particularly dangerous as attackers could compromise multiple cameras or recording stations through a single successful exploit.
The attack vectors specifically target the event viewing and state management functionalities of ZoneMinder, which are core components of the system's operational interface. The executeFilter function in zm_html_view_events.php suggests that attackers can manipulate filter parameters to inject malicious commands when viewing recorded events, while the run_state parameter in zm_html_view_state.php indicates that state management operations are also vulnerable. This dual attack surface increases the probability of successful exploitation and provides multiple opportunities for attackers to leverage the vulnerability. Organizations using ZoneMinder in security-critical environments face significant risk as these vulnerabilities can be exploited without requiring authentication, making them particularly dangerous in networked surveillance deployments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of ZoneMinder to version 1.24.0 or later, where the command injection flaws have been addressed through proper input validation and sanitization. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of ZoneMinder web interfaces to untrusted networks. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious command injection attempts. Regular security audits and input validation reviews should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities in other components of the surveillance infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation in web applications, particularly those handling system-level operations. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts and command execution activities on their surveillance systems.