CVE-2001-1274 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in MySQL before 3.23.31 allows attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly gain privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1274 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MySQL database management system affecting versions prior to 3.23.31. This vulnerability resides in the server component of MySQL and demonstrates a classic security weakness that can be exploited to compromise system integrity and availability. The buffer overflow occurs when the system processes certain malformed input data that exceeds the allocated memory buffer space, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate program execution flow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within MySQL's processing routines. When the database server receives specially crafted input that exceeds expected buffer limits, it fails to properly handle the overflow condition, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can manifest in two primary ways: denial of service through application crashes or potential privilege escalation that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated permissions. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it operates at the core level of database operations where authentication and access controls are managed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on MySQL databases, as it provides multiple attack vectors for malicious actors. The denial of service component can be exploited to disrupt database availability, causing business interruption and potential financial losses. More critically, the privilege escalation aspect could allow attackers to gain administrative access to database systems, potentially leading to data theft, modification, or complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects database servers that handle sensitive information, making it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers exploit for privilege escalation. The remediation strategy centers on immediate patch deployment to MySQL versions 3.23.31 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for input validation and buffer management. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure, while monitoring for suspicious database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining instances of older MySQL versions within the infrastructure, as these systems remain at risk for similar vulnerabilities.