CVE-2004-0835 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL 3.x before 3.23.59, 4.x before 4.0.19, 4.1.x before 4.1.2, and 5.x before 5.0.1, checks the CREATE/INSERT rights of the original table instead of the target table in an ALTER TABLE RENAME operation, which could allow attackers to conduct unauthorized activities.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/26/2024
This vulnerability exists in multiple versions of the MySQL database management system affecting versions 3.x before 3.23.59, 4.x before 4.0.19, 4.1.x before 4.1.2, and 5.x before 5.0.1. The flaw occurs during ALTER TABLE RENAME operations where the system incorrectly validates permissions against the original table rather than the target table that is being renamed. This represents a classic privilege escalation vulnerability that violates the principle of least privilege and proper access control mechanisms. The issue stems from improper authorization checking during table manipulation operations, creating a scenario where attackers can exploit the permission validation logic to perform unauthorized actions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 which addresses improper access control and specifically relates to insufficient authorization checks during database operations. The flaw enables attackers to bypass expected security boundaries by leveraging the incorrect permission validation during table renaming operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the database engine's failure to properly validate user permissions when executing ALTER TABLE RENAME commands. When a user attempts to rename a table, the system should verify that the user has appropriate privileges on the target table location and structure. However, due to the bug, the permission checking mechanism incorrectly references the original table's access controls instead of the new target table's permissions. This creates a scenario where a user who lacks proper CREATE or INSERT privileges on the target table location might still succeed in renaming operations if they had sufficient privileges on the original table. The vulnerability essentially allows attackers to move tables between database locations or rename tables in ways that would normally be restricted based on their actual privileges. This type of flaw falls under the ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation through improper access control mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it allows unauthorized users to perform actions that should be restricted based on their privilege level. Attackers could potentially move sensitive data to locations where they have elevated privileges, rename tables to bypass security controls, or manipulate database structure in ways that compromise data integrity and access controls. The vulnerability particularly affects database administrators who must ensure proper access controls are maintained during table operations, as it undermines the fundamental security model of database systems. Organizations using affected MySQL versions face risks of data exposure, privilege escalation, and potential unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability is especially dangerous in multi-user environments where different users have varying levels of database access and where proper segregation of duties is critical. This issue represents a serious breach in database security that could enable attackers to gain access to sensitive data or manipulate database structures without proper authorization. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and access control implementation that violates standard database security practices and could lead to significant data compromise incidents. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of MySQL, reviewing user permissions, and implementing additional access controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.