CVE-2019-7342 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
POST - Cross Site Scripting (XSS) exists in ZoneMinder through 1.32.3, allowing an attacker to execute HTML or JavaScript code via a vulnerable 'filter[AutoExecuteCmd]' parameter value in the view filter (filter.php) because proper filtration is omitted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7342 represents a critical cross site scripting flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.32.3 and earlier, exposing the system to persistent security risks through improper input validation mechanisms. This vulnerability specifically affects the filter.php component where the 'filter[AutoExecuteCmd]' parameter fails to implement adequate sanitization measures, allowing malicious actors to inject arbitrary HTML or JavaScript code directly into the application's response stream. The flaw exists in the context of POST requests, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through form submissions rather than merely URL parameters, which increases the attack surface and reduces the likelihood of detection by simple network monitoring tools.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper input validation and output encoding practices within the ZoneMinder application framework. When users submit filter parameters through the web interface, the application processes the 'filter[AutoExecuteCmd]' value without applying sufficient sanitization routines that would normally be expected in secure web application development. This omission creates a direct path for malicious payloads to be executed within the context of other users' browser sessions, as the application fails to distinguish between legitimate user input and potentially harmful script code. The vulnerability manifests in the filter.php file where the parameter is processed and rendered back to the user interface without appropriate HTML escaping or content security policy enforcement.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple script execution, as it can enable attackers to perform a wide range of malicious activities including session hijacking, credential theft, and data exfiltration from authenticated users. An attacker exploiting this vulnerability could potentially gain access to administrative functions, modify filter configurations, or even escalate privileges within the ZoneMinder system. The persistent nature of XSS vulnerabilities means that once exploited, the malicious code can remain active for extended periods, continuously compromising user sessions and potentially providing attackers with ongoing access to surveillance systems that rely on ZoneMinder for security monitoring. This particular vulnerability aligns with CWE-79 which specifically addresses cross site scripting flaws and represents a significant risk to organizations deploying surveillance systems that depend on vulnerable web interfaces.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the ZoneMinder application. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of ZoneMinder that address this specific XSS vulnerability, as the vendor has released updates containing proper parameter sanitization routines. Additionally, implementing proper content security policies, employing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of the application's input handling mechanisms will help prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future. The remediation process should include thorough code review of all user input processing components and implementation of defense-in-depth strategies that include proper HTML escaping, parameter validation, and regular security testing to ensure that future versions maintain robust security posture against similar cross site scripting threats.