CVE-2002-1809 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
The default configuration of the Windows binary release of MySQL 3.23.2 through 3.23.52 has a NULL root password, which could allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized root access to the MySQL database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2002-1809 represents a critical security flaw in the default installation configuration of MySQL database servers running versions 3.23.2 through 3.23.52 on Windows platforms. This issue stems from the database management system's default settings that fail to properly secure the root administrative account during installation. The flaw allows remote attackers to establish unauthorized access to the database system with full administrative privileges, effectively bypassing any authentication mechanisms that should normally protect the system. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles and creates an exploitable entry point for malicious actors seeking to compromise database environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability can be categorized under CWE-798, which addresses the use of hard-coded credentials in software, and CWE-259, which covers the use of weak passwords. The flaw manifests specifically in the default configuration process where the root user account is created without a password, leaving the database completely exposed to unauthorized access attempts. Attackers can exploit this by simply connecting to the MySQL service using the root username and empty password, bypassing all normal authentication procedures. This vulnerability operates at the application level and requires no special privileges or complex exploitation techniques, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are accessible over networks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple unauthorized access to include potential data breaches, system compromise, and complete control over database operations. Once an attacker gains root access, they can modify, delete, or extract sensitive information from the database without detection, potentially leading to significant financial losses, regulatory violations, and reputational damage. The vulnerability affects database servers that are publicly accessible or connected to untrusted networks, where the default installation settings have not been properly modified. This makes it especially dangerous in enterprise environments where database servers are often deployed with minimal security configuration changes.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including changing the root password to a strong, randomly generated value, disabling remote access to the MySQL service where possible, and implementing proper network segmentation. The recommended approach involves modifying the MySQL configuration to enforce strong authentication requirements and ensuring that default installations are not left in production environments without proper security hardening. Additionally, system administrators should conduct regular audits of database configurations and implement monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of proper security configuration management and demonstrates how default settings can create significant security risks that require immediate attention and remediation.