CVE-2013-0332 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple directory traversal vulnerabilities in ZoneMinder 1.24.x before 1.24.4 allow remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the (1) view, (2) request, or (3) action parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0332 represents a critical directory traversal flaw affecting ZoneMinder versions 1.24.x prior to 1.24.4. This weakness resides in the web application's handling of user-supplied input parameters, specifically within the view, request, and action parameters that control various functionalities within the surveillance system interface. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization mechanisms that fail to properly filter or escape special characters such as the dot-dot-sequence used to navigate up directory levels in file systems.
Directory traversal vulnerabilities of this nature fall under the CWE-22 category, which classifies improper limitation of a pathname to a restricted directory, commonly known as path traversal or directory traversal attacks. The flaw allows remote attackers to manipulate the application's file access mechanisms by injecting malicious sequences that bypass intended access controls. When an attacker submits a request containing .. characters within the vulnerable parameters, the application processes these sequences without proper validation, enabling unauthorized access to files outside the intended directory structure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant within surveillance environments where ZoneMinder systems are deployed. Attackers can exploit this weakness to access sensitive system files, configuration data, log files, and potentially even authentication credentials stored on the server. In a networked surveillance context, this could lead to complete system compromise where unauthorized parties gain access to video feeds, system configurations, and administrative controls. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where ZoneMinder is configured with default permissions or where administrative interfaces are accessible over the network without proper authentication layers.
This vulnerability aligns with several techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) tactics, as attackers can use directory traversal to discover system files and potentially extract sensitive information. The attack surface is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where surveillance systems may contain sensitive operational data, personal information, or proprietary security configurations. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in input validation that could be exploited to escalate privileges and gain deeper access to network infrastructure.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should immediately implement the patch released in ZoneMinder version 1.24.4, which addresses the directory traversal issue through proper input sanitization and parameter validation. Additional mitigations include implementing web application firewalls to filter out suspicious path sequences, restricting network access to ZoneMinder interfaces, and configuring proper file system permissions to limit access to sensitive system files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation in web applications and serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates in surveillance and monitoring systems. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive audits of their surveillance infrastructure to identify similar vulnerabilities in other components and ensure proper network segmentation to limit the potential impact of such attacks.