CVE-2000-0148 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL 3.22 allows remote attackers to bypass password authentication and access a database via a short check string.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0148 represents a critical authentication bypass flaw in MySQL version 3.22 that fundamentally compromises database security. This weakness allows remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to database systems by exploiting a specific condition in the authentication process where a malformed or truncated check string can be used to circumvent password verification mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of authentication tokens during the connection establishment phase, creating a pathway for malicious actors to access sensitive database resources without proper credentials.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs within the MySQL server's authentication subsystem where the system fails to properly validate the length and integrity of authentication check strings. When a client attempts to connect to the MySQL database, the server performs a verification process that should ensure the authenticity of the provided credentials. However, due to insufficient input validation and string length checking, attackers can craft specially formatted authentication requests that exploit a buffer handling issue. This allows the system to accept incomplete or malformed authentication data as valid, effectively bypassing the standard password verification process. The vulnerability specifically affects MySQL 3.22 versions where the authentication protocol implementation did not adequately protect against truncated or short authentication strings.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness from any network location to gain full access to database contents without requiring legitimate credentials, potentially leading to data theft, unauthorized modifications, complete database compromise, and further lateral movement within network infrastructure. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where MySQL servers are exposed to untrusted networks or where weak network segmentation exists, making it a prime target for automated exploitation tools. Organizations may experience significant data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and operational disruptions when this vulnerability is successfully exploited, as the authentication bypass occurs at the protocol level rather than requiring additional attack vectors.
The security implications of CVE-2000-0148 align with CWE-287 which addresses improper authentication issues in software systems. This vulnerability demonstrates how insufficient input validation and inadequate error handling in authentication protocols can create exploitable conditions that undermine fundamental security controls. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1110.003 for credential access through brute force and T1071.004 for application layer protocol usage. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched MySQL versions, implementing network segmentation to restrict database access, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting thorough security assessments of all database systems. The vulnerability serves as a historical example of how protocol-level implementation flaws can create persistent security risks that require immediate remediation to prevent unauthorized access to critical data assets.