CVE-2019-8428 in ZoneMinder
Summary
by MITRE
ZoneMinder before 1.32.3 has SQL Injection via the skins/classic/views/control.php groupSql parameter, as demonstrated by a newGroup[MonitorIds][] value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2019-8428 represents a critical SQL injection flaw in ZoneMinder versions prior to 1.32.3, specifically affecting the skins/classic/views/control.php component. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and sanitization of the groupSql parameter, which is processed through the newGroup[MonitorIds][] value. The flaw allows authenticated attackers with administrative privileges to execute arbitrary SQL commands against the underlying database, potentially leading to complete system compromise and data exfiltration.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the groupSql parameter within the control.php view file, where user-supplied input is directly incorporated into SQL queries without proper sanitization or parameterization. This design flaw aligns with CWE-89, which categorizes SQL injection as a common vulnerability resulting from improper handling of untrusted data in database queries. The vulnerability specifically impacts the monitoring functionality of ZoneMinder, where administrators configure groups of monitors through the web interface, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to surveillance data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as successful exploitation can enable attackers to manipulate surveillance configurations, disable monitoring systems, or extract sensitive information from the database. The vulnerability's exploitation requires administrative access to the ZoneMinder web interface, which reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. Attackers can leverage this flaw to gain persistent access to surveillance infrastructure, potentially compromising security operations and privacy of monitored environments. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and T1046 which covers network service scanning, as exploitation may involve reconnaissance activities to identify vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-8428 focus on immediate patching of ZoneMinder installations to version 1.32.3 or later, which addresses the SQL injection vulnerability through proper input validation and parameterized queries. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to ZoneMinder installations, enforce strong authentication mechanisms, and regularly audit administrative access logs for suspicious activities. Additional defensive measures include implementing web application firewalls to detect and block SQL injection attempts, conducting regular security assessments of surveillance systems, and ensuring proper network monitoring to identify unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation in web applications and highlights the need for secure coding practices that prevent injection attacks through proper parameterization of database queries and sanitization of user inputs.