CVE-2019-7331 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Self - Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) exists in ZoneMinder through 1.32.3 while editing an existing monitor field named "signal check color" (monitor.php). There exists no input validation or output filtration, leaving it vulnerable to HTML Injection and an XSS attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7331 represents a critical self-stored cross site scripting flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.32.3 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests when administrators attempt to edit monitor configuration parameters, particularly the "signal check color" field within the monitor.php interface. The vulnerability stems from the application's complete absence of input validation mechanisms and output filtering procedures, creating an environment where malicious code can be persistently stored and subsequently executed within the context of authenticated user sessions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the signal check color field, which accepts arbitrary HTML content without proper sanitization. When an attacker inputs malicious script code into this field, the application stores the content without any form of validation or encoding, thereby creating a persistent XSS vector. The stored payload can then be executed whenever the monitor configuration page is accessed by any authenticated user, including administrators with elevated privileges. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-79, which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more precisely aligns with CWE-116, concerning improper encoding or escaping of output.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can be leveraged for complete session hijacking, privilege escalation, and data exfiltration. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can potentially impersonate administrators, access sensitive monitoring data, modify system configurations, and even gain unauthorized access to connected cameras and recording systems. The self-stored nature of this vulnerability means that the malicious payload remains persistent across application restarts and user sessions, making it particularly dangerous for long-running surveillance systems where administrators may not frequently review all configuration fields.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing. The remediation strategy requires immediate implementation of input validation controls and output encoding mechanisms within the ZoneMinder application. The fix should involve sanitizing all user inputs through proper HTML entity encoding before storage and implementing Content Security Policy headers to prevent unauthorized script execution. Additionally, administrators should conduct thorough security audits of all configuration fields and implement regular input validation testing to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other application components. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input sanitization in web applications and the potential consequences of inadequate security controls in surveillance systems where persistent threats can remain undetected for extended periods.