CVE-2019-8423 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
ZoneMinder through 1.32.3 has SQL Injection via the skins/classic/views/events.php filter[Query][terms][0][cnj] parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8423 represents a critical SQL injection flaw within ZoneMinder version 1.32.3 and earlier, exposing the system to unauthorized data access and potential system compromise. This vulnerability specifically affects the classic skin interface of ZoneMinder, a popular open-source video surveillance software widely deployed in security monitoring environments. The issue manifests through the events.php page where user-supplied input is improperly sanitized before being incorporated into database queries, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database system.
The technical exploitation occurs through the filter[Query][terms][0][cnj] parameter within the events.php script, which serves as a query builder for filtering surveillance event records. When an attacker crafts malicious input containing SQL payload within this parameter, the application fails to properly escape or parameterize the input before executing database operations. This flaw allows for complete database traversal, data extraction, and potentially administrative access to the surveillance system. The vulnerability falls under CWE-89 which categorizes SQL injection as a persistent weakness where untrusted data is directly incorporated into SQL command strings without adequate sanitization mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to manipulate surveillance records, disable security features, or even gain access to sensitive video footage that may contain personal information or security-sensitive data. In enterprise environments where ZoneMinder is deployed for critical infrastructure monitoring, this vulnerability could lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to security-critical data. The attack surface is particularly concerning given ZoneMinder's deployment in both commercial and residential security systems where the exposure of surveillance data could have severe privacy and security implications.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1190 technique for exploitation of remote services and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. The vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation in web applications can lead to privilege escalation and data exfiltration. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including input validation, parameterized queries, and web application firewalls to protect against exploitation attempts. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to ZoneMinder version 1.32.4 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and parameterization of database queries to prevent unauthorized SQL command execution. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the surveillance system to potential attackers.