CVE-2006-3081 in mysql
Summary
by MITRE
mysqld in MySQL 4.1.x before 4.1.18, 5.0.x before 5.0.19, and 5.1.x before 5.1.6 allows remote authorized users to cause a denial of service (crash) via a NULL second argument to the str_to_date function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/26/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3081 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting MySQL database servers across multiple version lines. This vulnerability specifically impacts MySQL versions 4.1.x prior to 4.1.18, 5.0.x prior to 5.0.19, and 5.1.x prior to 5.1.6, where the mysqld daemon becomes susceptible to crashes when processing certain inputs through the str_to_date function. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be exploited by authorized users who possess valid credentials, making it a significant risk in environments where privileged access is granted to multiple parties.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies within the str_to_date function implementation in MySQL's database engine. When this function receives a NULL value as its second argument, the underlying code fails to properly handle the null pointer reference, leading to an abrupt termination of the mysqld process. This represents a classic buffer overread or null pointer dereference vulnerability that can be triggered through crafted SQL queries. The function's inability to gracefully process NULL inputs demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation within the database engine's string manipulation routines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can severely compromise database availability and system reliability. Authorized users who understand the vulnerability can exploit it to crash database connections, potentially causing extended downtime for applications dependent on MySQL services. In production environments, such crashes can result in data loss, application failures, and significant business disruption. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that even users with limited privileges can potentially cause system-wide outages, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments or shared hosting scenarios.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of all impacted MySQL installations to prevent exploitation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MySQL versions 4.1.18, 5.0.19, or 5.1.6, which contain the necessary code fixes to properly handle NULL arguments in the str_to_date function. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to database ports, disabling unnecessary database functions, and monitoring for suspicious SQL query patterns can provide additional layers of defense. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference issues, and represents a typical example of how insufficient input validation can lead to denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques, as it allows authorized users to disrupt system availability through carefully crafted database operations.