CVE-2001-1453 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in libmysqlclient.so in MySQL 3.23.33 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long host parameter.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1453 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the libmysqlclient.so library component of MySQL database systems version 3.23.33 and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the client library that handles host parameter processing during database connection establishment. The flaw manifests when a remote attacker crafts a maliciously long host parameter string that exceeds the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption conditions that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of string inputs within the MySQL client library's connection establishment routines. When a client attempts to connect to a MySQL server, the host parameter undergoes processing within libmysqlclient.so, which fails to perform adequate bounds checking on the input length. This buffer overflow condition occurs because the library allocates a fixed-size buffer for host name storage without sufficient validation to prevent overflow scenarios. The flaw specifically affects the connection string parsing functionality and can be triggered through various attack vectors including malformed connection strings, crafted network packets, or manipulated database connection parameters.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to database server security and system integrity. Remote attackers capable of exploiting this buffer overflow can gain unauthorized code execution privileges on systems running vulnerable MySQL versions, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires no authentication and can be executed over network connections, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database servers are accessible from external networks. Successful exploitation could result in data theft, system takeover, denial of service conditions, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructures. The vulnerability affects the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of database services and can be leveraged as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks.
The vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1210 for exploitation of remote services. Mitigation strategies must include immediate patching of MySQL installations to versions 3.23.34 or later where the buffer overflow has been resolved through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit direct access to database servers, employ intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious connection patterns, and conduct regular security assessments of database components. Additionally, application-level input sanitization should be implemented to prevent malicious host parameters from reaching the vulnerable client library, while maintaining regular updates to all database software components to address similar vulnerabilities in the broader ecosystem.