CVE-2007-2693 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL before 5.1.18 allows remote authenticated users without SELECT privileges to obtain sensitive information from partitioned tables via an ALTER TABLE statement.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-2693 represents a significant information disclosure flaw in MySQL database management systems prior to version 5.1.18. This security weakness specifically affects partitioned tables within the database system and allows authenticated users to extract sensitive information through carefully crafted ALTER TABLE operations. The flaw exists in the privilege checking mechanisms that govern database table modifications, creating an unexpected pathway for unauthorized data access.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of user privileges during ALTER TABLE operations on partitioned tables. When users execute ALTER TABLE statements against partitioned table structures, the MySQL server fails to properly verify whether the requesting user possesses adequate permissions to access the underlying data within those partitions. This oversight occurs because the privilege checking system does not adequately enforce SELECT privilege requirements for operations that might inadvertently expose data from partitioned table segments. The vulnerability manifests when users without explicit SELECT privileges attempt to modify table structures through ALTER TABLE commands, yet the system still allows them to access partition metadata and potentially sensitive data contents.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure to potentially compromise database integrity and confidentiality. An authenticated attacker with minimal privileges could exploit this weakness to gather information about table structures, partition layouts, and potentially even underlying data values from partitioned tables. This represents a privilege escalation scenario where users can bypass expected security boundaries and access data they should not normally be able to view. The vulnerability affects database administrators who may not realize that partitioned tables can be accessed through ALTER TABLE operations, creating a blind spot in their security monitoring and access control enforcement.
Database security frameworks and standards such as CWE-200 (Information Exposure) and CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) directly apply to this vulnerability, as it demonstrates both information disclosure and inadequate access control mechanisms. The flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1213.002 (Data from Information Repositories) where adversaries can extract sensitive data through legitimate database operations. Organizations using MySQL versions prior to 5.1.18 face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where partitioned tables are utilized for performance optimization or data organization. The vulnerability also impacts compliance requirements under regulations such as gdpr and hipaa, where unauthorized data access represents a serious security incident that could result in regulatory penalties and reputational damage.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to MySQL version 5.1.18 or later, where the privilege checking mechanisms have been properly implemented to prevent unauthorized access to partitioned table data. Database administrators should also implement additional monitoring controls to detect unusual ALTER TABLE operations, particularly those targeting partitioned tables. Access control policies should be reviewed to ensure that users only receive the minimum necessary privileges for their operational requirements. Network segmentation and database firewalling can provide additional layers of protection by limiting direct database access to trusted administrative workstations. Regular security audits of database configurations should include verification of partitioned table access controls and privilege assignments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced through configuration changes or custom database scripts.