CVE-2010-5049 in Zabbix
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in events.php in Zabbix 1.8.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the nav_time parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/13/2019
The CVE-2010-5049 vulnerability represents a critical sql injection flaw discovered in Zabbix monitoring software version 1.8.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the events.php script within the Zabbix web interface, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on this popular open-source monitoring solution. The vulnerability resides in how the application processes the nav_time parameter, which is used for time-based navigation in event displays. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious input that gets directly incorporated into sql queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary sql commands on the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because Zabbix is commonly used for monitoring critical infrastructure, making it an attractive target for cyber adversaries seeking persistent access to enterprise networks.
The technical exploitation of CVE-2010-5049 demonstrates a classic sql injection vulnerability classified under CWE-89, which specifically addresses improper neutralization of special elements used in sql commands. The flaw occurs when user-supplied input from the nav_time parameter is directly concatenated into sql query strings rather than being properly parameterized or escaped. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol manipulation and T1566 for credential access through injection techniques. The vulnerability affects the authentication and authorization mechanisms within Zabbix, potentially allowing attackers to escalate privileges or gain unauthorized access to sensitive monitoring data. The lack of input validation and proper sql query construction creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate the database queries and extract, modify, or delete information from the underlying database system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover and persistent backdoor establishment within monitored environments. Organizations using vulnerable Zabbix versions face potential exposure of sensitive infrastructure monitoring data, including system configurations, user credentials, and network topology information. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target systems from outside the network perimeter without requiring prior access credentials. This makes it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed Zabbix web interfaces or those that do not properly firewall their monitoring systems. The vulnerability also poses risks to database integrity and availability, as attackers could potentially execute destructive sql commands or cause denial of service conditions through query manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5049 should focus on immediate patching of affected Zabbix installations to version 1.8.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this sql injection vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to Zabbix web interfaces and ensure that only authorized personnel can reach monitoring systems. Input validation and parameterized queries should be enforced throughout the application code to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual sql query patterns or attempts to exploit injection vulnerabilities. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their monitoring infrastructure and maintain up-to-date vulnerability management processes to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in other system components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices and proper input sanitization in web applications, particularly those handling sensitive operational data.