CVE-2019-7338 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Self - Stored XSS exists in ZoneMinder through 1.32.3, allowing an attacker to execute HTML or JavaScript code in the view 'group' as it insecurely prints the 'Group Name' value on the web page without applying any proper filtration.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7338 represents a critical self-stored cross-site scripting flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.32.3 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the web interface's handling of group names within the administrative view, specifically in the group management functionality where user-provided input is directly rendered without adequate sanitization or encoding. The flaw allows attackers to inject malicious HTML or JavaScript code through the Group Name field, which is then executed in the context of other users' browsers when they view the affected group information. This creates a persistent XSS attack vector where malicious code can be stored on the server and subsequently delivered to unsuspecting users.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and output encoding practices within the ZoneMinder web application. When administrators or users create or modify group names, the application fails to properly sanitize the input data before storing it in the database. During subsequent page rendering, the stored group name is directly embedded into the HTML output without appropriate HTML entity encoding or other security measures that would prevent script execution. This pattern violates fundamental web security principles and represents a classic example of unsafe direct object reference and insufficient output encoding. The vulnerability maps to CWE-79 which specifically addresses Cross-Site Scripting flaws, and more particularly to CWE-80 which describes the insecure handling of user-provided data in web applications. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to potentially steal session cookies, perform unauthorized actions on behalf of other users, redirect victims to malicious sites, or execute arbitrary commands within the victim's browser context.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7338 extends beyond simple script execution as it provides attackers with persistent access to the ZoneMinder administrative interface. Once an attacker successfully injects malicious code through a compromised group name, the payload executes every time any user views that particular group, potentially affecting multiple users over extended periods. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where ZoneMinder is used for security monitoring, as attackers could gain unauthorized access to surveillance footage or manipulate the system's administrative functions. The attack vector requires minimal privileges to exploit since it targets the web interface's input handling rather than requiring direct system access or elevated permissions. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically JavaScript execution, and T1566 for Phishing as attackers might use the XSS to redirect users to malicious sites or harvest credentials. The persistence of this vulnerability means that once exploited, it can remain active until the affected group name is manually corrected or the application is patched, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on ZoneMinder for security operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7338 should focus on implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the ZoneMinder application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to ZoneMinder version 1.32.4 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper sanitization of user inputs and implementation of appropriate HTML encoding for all dynamic content. Administrators should also implement additional security measures including regular input validation, content security policies, and regular security audits of web applications. The fix typically involves implementing proper HTML entity encoding for all user-provided data before rendering it in web pages, which prevents malicious scripts from executing in the browser context. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing web application firewalls and monitoring for suspicious input patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. Regular security training for administrators and developers on secure coding practices, particularly around input validation and output encoding, is essential to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in other parts of the application or in future versions.