CVE-2019-7348 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
Self - Stored Cross Site Scripting (XSS) exists in ZoneMinder through 1.32.3, allowing an attacker to execute HTML or JavaScript code via a vulnerable 'username' parameter value in the view user (user.php) because proper filtration is omitted.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7348 represents a self-stored cross site scripting flaw in ZoneMinder version 1.32.3 and earlier, constituting a critical security weakness that enables attackers to inject malicious code into the application's user interface. This vulnerability specifically affects the user management functionality where the application fails to properly sanitize user input during the username parameter processing. The flaw exists within the user.php file which handles user-related operations, making it a direct target for malicious actors seeking to exploit the application's input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-79, which defines cross site scripting as the failure to properly filter or escape user-supplied data before incorporating it into dynamic web content. This particular implementation flaw allows attackers to store malicious scripts that will execute whenever other users view the affected user profiles, creating a persistent threat vector that can compromise multiple users within the system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the username parameter in the view user functionality, where the application processes user input without adequate sanitization or validation. When an attacker submits a malicious username containing embedded HTML or JavaScript code, the system stores this data without proper filtering mechanisms, allowing the malicious content to be rendered in subsequent user interface interactions. The vulnerability stems from the absence of input validation and output encoding controls that should normally prevent attackers from injecting executable code into the application's dynamic content. This type of self-stored XSS represents a sophisticated attack vector because the malicious payload persists within the application's database, making it effective against multiple users who view the compromised user profiles. The flaw demonstrates a failure in the application's security architecture to implement proper data sanitization and validation, particularly when handling user-provided identifiers that are displayed in the user interface.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7348 extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a persistent threat that can compromise user sessions, steal sensitive information, and potentially enable further attacks within the compromised ZoneMinder environment. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious scripts that may steal cookies, session tokens, or other sensitive data from users who view the affected user profiles. The self-stored nature of the vulnerability means that the malicious code will execute automatically whenever legitimate users interact with the compromised user data, creating an automated attack mechanism that can scale across multiple users within the system. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for JavaScript execution and T1531 for credential access, as it enables attackers to harvest session information and potentially escalate privileges within the ZoneMinder application. The impact is particularly concerning in security monitoring environments where ZoneMinder is used for surveillance, as compromised user accounts could provide attackers with unauthorized access to security systems and potentially enable further infiltration of the network infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7348 should focus on implementing robust input validation and output encoding mechanisms throughout the ZoneMinder application, particularly in user management components. The most effective immediate fix involves applying proper HTML escaping and input sanitization to all user-provided data before storage and display, ensuring that any potentially malicious content is neutralized before being rendered in the user interface. Organizations should implement parameterized queries and strict validation rules for username inputs to prevent the injection of executable code, while also applying regular security updates to ensure the application remains protected against known vulnerabilities. The implementation of Content Security Policy headers can provide additional defense in depth by restricting the execution of inline scripts and preventing unauthorized code injection. Security teams should also conduct comprehensive input validation testing and implement automated security scanning to identify similar vulnerabilities in other application components, as this type of flaw often indicates broader security architecture issues that may affect other input handling mechanisms within the ZoneMinder system. Additionally, user education regarding the risks of viewing untrusted user data and implementing least privilege access controls can help minimize the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.