CVE-2002-0969 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in MySQL daemon (mysqld) before 3.23.50, and 4.0 beta before 4.02, on the Win32 platform, allows local users to execute arbitrary code via a long "datadir" parameter in the my.ini initialization file, whose permissions on Windows allow Full Control to the Everyone group.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-0969 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the MySQL daemon implementation on Windows platforms. This flaw exists in versions prior to 3.23.50 of MySQL 3.23 series and before 4.02 of the 4.0 beta series, specifically affecting the Windows 32-bit implementation. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation during the processing of the datadir parameter within the my.ini configuration file, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by local attackers to execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges.
The technical mechanism of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario where the mysqld process fails to properly validate the length of the datadir parameter specified in the my.ini file. When a local user provides an excessively long datadir value, the application attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without proper bounds checking. This allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow and enabling code injection attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the system level where the MySQL daemon typically runs with elevated privileges, providing attackers with a direct path to privilege escalation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it creates a persistent security risk for MySQL installations on Windows systems. Local attackers who can modify the my.ini configuration file can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to the system, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to execute, as the attacker only needs the ability to modify the MySQL configuration file. The fact that the my.ini file permissions allow Full Control to the Everyone group on Windows systems significantly lowers the barrier to exploitation, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users have access to system configuration files.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, and represents a specific instance of improper input validation in database server applications. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system. The vulnerability also relates to T1068, privilege escalation through local exploits, since the MySQL service typically runs with elevated privileges and the overflow could be used to gain additional access rights. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of MySQL, restricting file permissions on the my.ini file to prevent unauthorized modifications, and monitoring for suspicious configuration changes that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of proper input validation in database server applications and the critical need for secure configuration management practices. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign configuration parameters can become attack vectors when proper bounds checking is not implemented. System administrators should conduct thorough security assessments of their database environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other services and ensure that configuration files are properly protected from unauthorized access. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing proper access controls to limit the potential impact of such exploits.