CVE-2016-10204 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
SQL injection vulnerability in Zoneminder 1.30 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary SQL commands via the limit parameter in a log query request to index.php.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10204 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.30 and earlier systems. This vulnerability exists in the web interface component of the security camera management software, specifically within the index.php script that handles log query requests. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization of user-supplied data, allowing malicious actors to manipulate database queries through the limit parameter. This parameter is typically used to control the number of log entries returned in query results, making it a natural target for exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a direct result of insufficient input validation and improper output encoding. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious SQL payloads in the limit parameter of log query requests to index.php. When the application processes these requests without proper sanitization, the injected SQL commands execute within the database context with the privileges of the database user account used by ZoneMinder. This creates a pathway for remote code execution, data exfiltration, and potential system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10204 extends beyond simple data theft, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive security camera logs, configuration data, and potentially user credentials stored within the database. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for security camera systems that often contain sensitive surveillance data. This weakness directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can use this vulnerability to enumerate database structures and extract sensitive information from the surveillance infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of ZoneMinder to versions 1.30.1 or later where the SQL injection flaw has been addressed. Organizations should implement proper input validation and parameterized queries to prevent similar issues in the future, adhering to secure coding practices outlined in OWASP Top Ten and the CERT Secure Coding Standards. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the ZoneMinder web interface, while regular security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping security monitoring systems updated and implementing database activity monitoring to detect anomalous SQL query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.