CVE-2005-0082 in MaxDB
Summary
by MITRE
The sapdbwa_GetUserData function in MySQL MaxDB 7.5.0.0, and other versions before 7.5.0.21, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via invalid parameters to the WebDAV handler code, which triggers a null dereference that causes the SAP DB Web Agent to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0082 represents a critical denial of service flaw within MySQL MaxDB's WebDAV handler implementation. This issue specifically affects SAP DB Web Agent functionality where the sapdbwa_GetUserData function fails to properly validate input parameters, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability exists in MySQL MaxDB versions prior to 7.5.0.21, making a significant portion of the deployed installations susceptible to this attack vector. The flaw manifests through malformed parameters sent to the WebDAV handler, which then propagate through the system's memory management mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a null pointer dereference condition within the WebDAV handler code. When the sapdbwa_GetUserData function processes invalid or malformed parameters, it attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or validated. This null dereference creates a memory access violation that ultimately results in the SAP DB Web Agent crashing and terminating its service operations. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no authentication or privileged access, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by any remote attacker with network access to the affected system. The flaw aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software implementations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system unavailability for legitimate users and potentially create opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. When the SAP DB Web Agent crashes due to this flaw, it not only interrupts WebDAV functionality but may also affect the broader database service availability, depending on how tightly integrated the Web Agent is with the core database operations. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly damaging in production environments where database availability is critical for business operations, potentially leading to significant financial losses and service degradation.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to MySQL MaxDB version 7.5.0.21 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the null pointer dereference issue. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of the WebDAV handler to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of WebDAV access that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in web application components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems to monitor for patterns consistent with this specific vulnerability exploitation, as the crash behavior creates detectable network and system activity patterns that can be used for early warning systems.