CVE-2019-8425 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
includes/database.php in ZoneMinder before 1.32.3 has XSS in the construction of SQL-ERR messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-8425 affects ZoneMinder versions prior to 1.32.3 and represents a cross-site scripting flaw within the database component of the system. This issue specifically manifests in the includes/database.php file where SQL error messages are constructed, creating an avenue for malicious actors to inject malicious scripts into the application's error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and output sanitization within the SQL error message construction process, allowing attackers to manipulate database error outputs through crafted inputs that are not properly escaped or filtered before being rendered in the user interface.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when ZoneMinder encounters database errors during operation, particularly when processing user inputs or system configurations that result in SQL exceptions. The error handling mechanism in includes/database.php fails to properly sanitize user-supplied data that may be included in error messages, creating a persistent cross-site scripting vector. Attackers can leverage this by submitting malicious input that triggers database errors, thereby injecting malicious JavaScript code into the SQL error messages that are subsequently displayed to users. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-79 category of Cross-Site Scripting, specifically representing a stored XSS variant where the malicious payload becomes part of the error message construction process and persists until the error is displayed.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-8425 extends beyond simple script injection, as it can enable attackers to perform session hijacking, steal user credentials, or redirect victims to malicious websites. Since ZoneMinder is commonly deployed for security monitoring and surveillance purposes, attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to surveillance systems, potentially compromising the entire security infrastructure. The vulnerability affects users who interact with ZoneMinder's database error handling components, particularly those who might be processing untrusted inputs or who have administrative access to the system where error messages are displayed. This makes the impact particularly concerning for organizations that rely on ZoneMinder for security operations and may have users with varying levels of system access.
The mitigation strategy for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of ZoneMinder installations to version 1.32.3 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and output encoding for SQL error messages. Organizations should implement additional defensive measures such as input validation for all database inputs, proper HTML escaping of error messages, and regular security assessments of the application's error handling mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript, as it enables the execution of malicious JavaScript code through the error handling pathways. Security teams should also consider implementing web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious input patterns that might trigger SQL error conditions, while maintaining regular updates to ensure compliance with industry standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks.