CVE-2022-39072 in Mobile Internet
Summary
by MITRE • 01/06/2023
There is a SQL injection vulnerability in Some ZTE Mobile Internet products. Due to insufficient validation of the input parameters of the SNTP interface, an authenticated attacker could use the vulnerability to execute stored XSS attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-39072 represents a critical security flaw affecting certain ZTE Mobile Internet products that combines both SQL injection and stored cross-site scripting capabilities. This vulnerability resides within the SNTP (Simple Network Time Protocol) interface of affected devices, creating a dangerous attack vector that can be exploited by authenticated threat actors. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied parameters, allowing malicious data to be processed and stored within the system's database. The SNTP interface serves as a time synchronization service that typically handles network time requests and responses, making it a critical component for maintaining proper system operations and network coordination.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a specific attack pattern where an authenticated attacker first leverages the SQL injection flaw to inject malicious database queries into the system. This initial compromise allows the attacker to manipulate the underlying database structure and potentially execute arbitrary code. Once the SQL injection is successful, the attacker can then store malicious payloads through the same vulnerable interface, creating a persistent threat that manifests as stored XSS attacks when legitimate users interact with the affected system. The combination of these two attack vectors creates a particularly dangerous scenario where the initial database compromise enables long-term persistence through stored malicious content. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-89 for SQL injection and CWE-79 for cross-site scripting, representing a sophisticated multi-stage attack that can bypass traditional security controls.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-39072 extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential network disruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, and establishment of persistent backdoors within affected networks. Mobile internet products that rely on SNTP for time synchronization are particularly vulnerable, as these devices often serve as critical infrastructure components for communication networks. The authenticated nature of the attack means that threat actors must first establish legitimate credentials, but once inside the system, they can maintain long-term access and escalate privileges through the stored XSS mechanism. This vulnerability affects organizations that deploy ZTE mobile internet equipment, potentially exposing them to data breaches, service interruptions, and compliance violations. The attack can result in unauthorized access to network configuration data, user information, and potentially compromise the broader network infrastructure that depends on these time synchronization services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-39072 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ZTE devices through official firmware updates provided by the vendor. Organizations must implement robust input validation and sanitization measures across all network interfaces, particularly those handling time synchronization protocols like SNTP. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify proper parameter validation throughout the system architecture. Security monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual database query patterns and suspicious network traffic related to time synchronization services. The implementation of web application firewalls and content security policies can help prevent XSS payload execution even if the underlying SQL injection vulnerability remains unpatched. Additionally, privileged account access should be restricted through principle of least privilege enforcement, and multi-factor authentication should be implemented to reduce the likelihood of successful initial compromise. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive security testing for network infrastructure components and the need for continuous vulnerability management programs that address both known and emerging threats in mobile internet technologies.