CVE-2007-2583 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
The in_decimal::set function in item_cmpfunc.cc in MySQL before 5.0.40, and 5.1 before 5.1.18-beta, allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted IF clause that results in a divide-by-zero error and a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2583 represents a critical flaw in the MySQL database management system that affects versions prior to specific patches. This issue resides within the in_decimal::set function located in the item_cmpfunc.cc source file, which is part of MySQL's core query processing components. The vulnerability manifests when the database engine processes certain conditional statements, specifically those involving IF clauses that contain crafted mathematical expressions. The flaw enables malicious actors to exploit the database's handling of decimal number comparisons and arithmetic operations, leading to system instability and potential service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within MySQL's decimal arithmetic processing module. When a specially crafted IF clause is executed, the system attempts to perform a division by zero operation followed by a NULL pointer dereference. This sequence of operations occurs during query parsing and execution phases, where the MySQL engine fails to properly validate the mathematical expressions within conditional contexts. The divide-by-zero error typically occurs when the system encounters a decimal value that, when processed through the in_decimal::set function, results in an invalid mathematical operation that cannot be handled gracefully. The subsequent NULL pointer dereference compounds the issue by causing the database process to crash when attempting to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential attack vector that could be exploited to disrupt database services and compromise system availability. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability causes MySQL processes to terminate unexpectedly, leading to database connection failures and service interruptions that can affect applications relying on the database. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that attackers must craft specific query patterns that trigger the problematic code path, but once triggered, the effects are deterministic and severe. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is critical for business operations, as attackers could potentially use this flaw to repeatedly disrupt services or to gain insights into the database structure through crash analysis.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several common attack patterns and threat models identified in the attack framework. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-369: "Divide By Zero" and CWE-476: "NULL Pointer Dereference" which are fundamental software security weaknesses that often occur together in poorly designed error handling routines. The vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004: "Endpoint Denial of Service" as it enables attackers to cause system resource exhaustion or process termination through database query manipulation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant security patches for MySQL versions 5.0.40 and 5.1.18-beta, implementing query filtering mechanisms to prevent execution of suspicious IF clauses, and monitoring database logs for unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and error handling in database systems, particularly when processing user-supplied data through conditional logic constructs that involve mathematical operations and type conversions.