CVE-2004-0931 in MaxDB
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL MaxDB before 7.5.00.18 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via an HTTP request to webdbm with high ASCII values in the Server field, which triggers an assert error in the IsAscii7 function.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0931 affects MySQL MaxDB versions prior to 7.5.00.18 and represents a denial of service flaw that can be exploited through HTTP requests targeting the webdbm interface. This issue arises from insufficient input validation within the web administration component of the database system, specifically when processing HTTP requests containing malformed data in the Server field header. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow or assertion failure condition that occurs when the system encounters high ASCII values during processing. The IsAscii7 function, which is responsible for validating character sets, fails to properly handle extended ASCII characters, leading to an assertion error that ultimately causes the web administration interface to crash and become unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation as defined by CWE-20, which is a fundamental weakness that can lead to various security consequences including system instability and service disruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a remote HTTP request to trigger the condition, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption as it can severely affect database administration capabilities and potentially disrupt business operations that depend on the web-based management interface. When the webdbm component crashes, administrators lose access to critical database management functions including monitoring, configuration changes, and performance tuning capabilities. The assertion error in the IsAscii7 function represents a fundamental flaw in the input sanitization process, where the system fails to properly validate and sanitize user-supplied data before processing. This vulnerability can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, as it specifically targets the availability of network services through deliberate exploitation of software flaws. The flaw affects the integrity of the system's defensive mechanisms since it bypasses normal input validation procedures and exploits a weakness in the character set handling logic that should have been robust enough to handle various ASCII ranges. Organizations relying on MySQL MaxDB for database administration would face significant operational challenges when this vulnerability is exploited, as the crash renders the web management interface completely unusable until manual intervention and system restart are performed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0931 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to MySQL MaxDB 7.5.00.18 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the input validation flaw in the IsAscii7 function. System administrators should implement network-level restrictions to limit access to the webdbm interface, particularly by blocking direct internet access to ports typically used for HTTP-based database administration. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive input validation at multiple layers of the application architecture, including both client-side and server-side sanitization mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for unusual HTTP request patterns, particularly those containing high ASCII values in headers, as potential indicators of exploitation attempts. Security configurations should enforce strict character set validation and implement proper error handling to prevent assertion failures from causing system crashes. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the database infrastructure. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in functionality while maintaining the system's overall stability and security posture. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date software components and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that protect against various attack vectors targeting database management interfaces.