CVE-2002-1375 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
The COM_CHANGE_USER command in MySQL 3.x before 3.23.54, and 4.x to 4.0.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long response.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1375 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the MySQL database management system that affects versions 3.x prior to 3.23.54 and 4.x versions up to 4.0.6. This vulnerability specifically targets the COM_CHANGE_USER command which is used to switch user contexts within the MySQL server. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and buffer handling when processing responses to the change user command, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly validate the length of response data received during user context switching operations, allowing maliciously crafted input to overflow allocated buffers and potentially overwrite critical memory segments.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a classic buffer overflow condition within the MySQL server's protocol handling mechanism. When a client sends a COM_CHANGE_USER command to the server, the system processes the response data without sufficient bounds checking, particularly regarding the length of user identifiers and authentication data. This lack of proper input sanitization creates a scenario where an attacker can craft a specially formatted response that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient space allocation leads to memory corruption, and represents a significant weakness in the software's defensive programming practices. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely without requiring authentication, making it a severe threat to database server integrity and system security.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1375 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and data breach potential. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to sensitive database information, allowing attackers to extract, modify, or delete critical data stored within the MySQL database. The remote execution capability means that attackers can potentially establish persistent access to the database server, creating backdoor access points that can be used for further network infiltration. This vulnerability directly maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1078 for valid accounts usage and T1046 for network service scanning, as attackers can leverage the compromised server to conduct reconnaissance and lateral movement within the network infrastructure. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of data exfiltration, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations due to unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1375 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest stable versions that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database servers to untrusted networks, while also deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious COM_CHANGE_USER command patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper buffer management in database server implementations, reinforcing the need for comprehensive security testing and code review processes. Organizations should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in their database infrastructure, implementing the principle of least privilege for database user accounts and maintaining detailed audit logs of database access activities. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual response lengths and malformed protocol interactions that could signal buffer overflow exploitation attempts.