ZoneMinder, a popular open-source closed-circuit television software application, has been identified with a high-severity vulnerability (CVE-2026-27470). The vulnerability, found in versions 1.36.37 and below, as well as 1.37.61 through 1.38.0, is classified as a second-order SQL Injection. This issue arises from the way event field values are handled in the web/ajax/status.php file, specifically within the getNearEvents() function. While the event field values are initially stored securely using parameterized queries, they are subsequently retrieved and concatenated directly into SQL WHERE clauses without adequate escaping. This oversight allows an authenticated user with edit and view permissions for events to execute arbitrary SQL queries, posing a significant risk to the integrity and confidentiality of the database.
Vulnerability Details
The CVE-2026-27470 vulnerability is a second-order SQL Injection affecting ZoneMinder, as described in the official advisory. The affected product is ZoneMinder, with a high CVSS score of 8.8, indicating a significant security risk. The vulnerability allows authenticated users to execute arbitrary SQL queries through improper handling of event field values, specifically Name and Cause, within the getNearEvents() function.The vulnerability was disclosed on February 21, 2026, and is categorized under CWE-89, indicating SQL Injection. Organizations using vulnerable versions of ZoneMinder should assess their systems and upgrade to the patched versions (1.36.38 or 1.38.1) to mitigate the risk.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2026-27470 lies in the improper handling of SQL queries. Although event field values are stored securely, the retrieval process concatenates these values directly into SQL queries without proper escaping, leading to potential SQL injection attacks. This flaw can be exploited by authenticated users, specifically those with edit and view permissions for events. The attack vector is network-based, with low complexity and low privileges required for exploitation.The impact of this vulnerability is severe, with high scores for confidentiality, integrity, and availability, indicating that attackers can manipulate database contents, access sensitive information, or disrupt services. Organizations should implement strict access controls and monitor for any unusual activity that may indicate exploitation attempts.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with CVE-2026-27470 is significant, given the nature of the vulnerability and the user permissions required for exploitation. Attackers may leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary SQL queries, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, data manipulation, or denial of service. The blast radius of this vulnerability extends to any organization utilizing affected versions of ZoneMinder, where the potential for exploitation exists.With a high CVSS score and a confirmed proof of concept available, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle. Security teams must assess the urgency based on their deployment context and take necessary actions to mitigate the risks.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | Yes |
Public PoC | Yes |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of ZoneMinder include 1.36.37 and below, as well as 1.37.61 through 1.38.0. Organizations should upgrade to version 1.36.38 or later to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately. Upgrade to ZoneMinder version 1.36.38 or 1.38.1 to remediate this vulnerability. If immediate upgrading is not possible, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting user permissions and hardening configurations to limit exposure. Regular monitoring and logging should be implemented to detect any unauthorized access attempts.Penetration testing can also help validate the effectiveness of the applied mitigations.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation attempts, organizations should monitor for unusual SQL queries in logs and establish alerts for any failed authentication attempts. Anomalies in database access patterns may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The discovery of CVE-2026-27470 highlights the ongoing challenges associated with SQL Injection vulnerabilities, particularly in widely-used applications like ZoneMinder. Security teams must remain vigilant in monitoring for such vulnerabilities and ensure that proper coding practices are followed to prevent similar issues in the future.Organizations should consider reviewing their application security strategies and emphasizing secure coding guidelines to reduce the risk of SQL Injection vulnerabilities. For further information on securing applications, refer to our API security best practices and penetration testing methodology for comprehensive guidance.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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