CVE-2010-1277 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in the user.authenticate method in the API in Zabbix 1.8 before 1.8.2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the user parameter in JSON data to api_jsonrpc.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2019
The CVE-2010-1277 vulnerability represents a critical SQL injection flaw within the Zabbix monitoring platform's application programming interface. This vulnerability specifically targets the user.authenticate method in the API component of Zabbix versions 1.8.0 and 1.8.1, where the system fails to properly sanitize user input before incorporating it into SQL queries. The vulnerability exists in the api_jsonrpc.php file which processes JSON-RPC requests, making it accessible to remote attackers who can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication. The flaw stems from the improper handling of the user parameter within JSON data structures, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary SQL commands that execute within the database context of the application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker sends specially crafted JSON data containing malicious SQL payloads in the user parameter field of the authentication API call. The Zabbix system processes this input without adequate validation or sanitization, directly incorporating the user-supplied data into database queries. This creates a classic SQL injection scenario where the attacker can manipulate the underlying database operations to extract sensitive information, modify data, or even gain elevated privileges within the system. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the API layer, meaning that successful exploitation can occur without requiring prior authentication, and the attacker can leverage this to execute commands with the privileges of the database user account.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe risks to organizations relying on Zabbix for system monitoring and security operations. The successful exploitation can lead to complete database compromise, allowing attackers to access sensitive monitoring data, user credentials, and system configurations. The vulnerability affects the integrity and confidentiality of the monitoring infrastructure, potentially enabling attackers to hide their presence, manipulate alerting mechanisms, or gain unauthorized access to monitored systems. Organizations may experience service disruption, data breaches, and compliance violations due to unauthorized database access. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it operates over standard HTTP/HTTPS protocols, making detection and prevention challenging for network security teams.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 which classifies SQL injection as a weakness where untrusted data is incorporated into SQL commands without proper sanitization. This weakness falls under the broader category of injection flaws that represent one of the most prevalent and dangerous security vulnerabilities in web applications. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application, where adversaries target exposed application interfaces to gain initial access. The vulnerability also relates to T1078 - Valid Accounts, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to credential compromise and privilege escalation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including patching to Zabbix 1.8.2 or later versions, implementing proper input validation, and applying web application firewalls to detect and block malicious JSON payloads. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring of API access patterns can help detect anomalous authentication attempts that may indicate exploitation attempts.