CVE-2007-3781 in Community Server
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL Community Server before 5.0.45 does not require privileges such as SELECT for the source table in a CREATE TABLE LIKE statement, which allows remote authenticated users to obtain sensitive information such as the table structure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-3781 represents a significant privilege escalation issue within MySQL Community Server versions prior to 5.0.45. This flaw specifically affects the CREATE TABLE LIKE statement functionality, which is commonly used to duplicate table structures from existing tables. The vulnerability stems from the server's improper handling of access control mechanisms during table creation operations, where the system fails to enforce proper privilege checks on the source table. This oversight creates a scenario where authenticated users can bypass normal security controls and access table metadata that should be restricted based on their privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a weakness in the MySQL server's privilege validation system. When executing a CREATE TABLE LIKE statement, the server should verify that the user has appropriate permissions on the source table before allowing the operation to proceed. However, in affected versions, the system fails to require SELECT privileges on the source table, which are typically necessary to read the table structure. This omission allows attackers to examine table schemas, column definitions, and other structural information without proper authorization. The vulnerability operates at the database engine level, affecting the core access control mechanisms that govern data operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a serious threat to database security and information disclosure. An authenticated attacker with minimal privileges can obtain detailed information about database table structures, including column names, data types, and potentially sensitive business logic encoded in the schema design. This information can be leveraged to craft more sophisticated attacks, such as SQL injection attempts or privilege escalation exploits. The vulnerability particularly affects environments where database administrators implement role-based access controls and expect strict segregation of privileges. The exposure of table structures can reveal business logic, data relationships, and potentially sensitive information about the application's data model that could be exploited by malicious actors.
The security implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-284, which describes improper access control mechanisms in software systems. This weakness specifically manifests as insufficient privilege checking during database operations, allowing unauthorized information disclosure. The vulnerability also relates to ATT&CK technique T1087.001, which covers account discovery through database enumeration, as attackers can use this flaw to gather information about database structures. Organizations implementing this vulnerability should consider the broader implications for their security posture, as the disclosure of table structures can facilitate subsequent attacks on database integrity and confidentiality. The flaw demonstrates a fundamental breakdown in the principle of least privilege enforcement within the MySQL server's access control framework.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to version 5.0.45 or later, where the privilege checking mechanism has been corrected. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure of database systems to unauthorized users. Database administrators should regularly review and audit user privileges to ensure that only necessary permissions are granted. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual database activities, particularly those involving table creation operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures to identify similar access control weaknesses in database management systems.