CVE-2008-2079 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL 4.1.x before 4.1.24, 5.0.x before 5.0.60, 5.1.x before 5.1.24, and 6.0.x before 6.0.5 allows local users to bypass certain privilege checks by calling CREATE TABLE on a MyISAM table with modified (1) DATA DIRECTORY or (2) INDEX DIRECTORY arguments that are within the MySQL home data directory, which can point to tables that are created in the future.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2019
This vulnerability exists in multiple versions of the MySQL database management system spanning from version 4.1.x through 6.0.x, representing a significant privilege escalation flaw that affects the core access control mechanisms. The vulnerability stems from insufficient validation of directory paths during table creation operations, specifically when using the CREATE TABLE statement with MyISAM storage engine. The flaw allows local attackers to bypass privilege checks by manipulating the DATA DIRECTORY and INDEX DIRECTORY parameters, which are typically used to specify where table data and index files should be stored on the filesystem. When these directory arguments point to locations within the MySQL home data directory, the system fails to properly verify whether the attacker has adequate permissions to create tables in those locations, particularly when the target directories are not yet created but will be used for future table storage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way MySQL handles directory path validation during table creation processes. When a user executes a CREATE TABLE statement with explicit DATA DIRECTORY or INDEX DIRECTORY clauses, the system should validate that the user has appropriate privileges to write to the specified directories. However, in the affected versions, the validation process incorrectly assumes that if the directory path is within the MySQL data directory, the user automatically has the necessary permissions. This oversight creates a path traversal-like condition where attackers can effectively manipulate the system into creating tables in directories that would normally require administrative privileges to access. The vulnerability specifically affects MyISAM tables because this storage engine implements its own directory handling mechanisms that bypass the standard privilege checking routines used by other storage engines.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is substantial as it enables local users to perform unauthorized actions that should require administrative privileges. Attackers can potentially create tables in directories that contain sensitive data or system files, allowing them to manipulate the database environment in ways that could lead to data exposure, system compromise, or privilege escalation to the database administrator level. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the filesystem level, meaning that successful exploitation could allow attackers to create malicious table structures that could be used for further attacks or to hide malicious activities within the database environment. This flaw essentially undermines the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to database security architecture, as it allows local users to bypass the normal access control mechanisms that protect against unauthorized database modifications.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-269: "Improper Privilege Management" and represents a specific case of insufficient access control validation. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to privilege escalation techniques and can be leveraged as part of broader attack chains where initial access is gained through other means, such as local system compromise or user account access. The attack vector requires local system access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments where users might have legitimate access to the database but should not have administrative privileges. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader database security posture assessment, especially in environments where database users have elevated privileges beyond what is strictly necessary for their roles. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and the need for robust privilege checking mechanisms that operate at multiple levels of the database system, including the filesystem access layer.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases, which contain proper directory validation and privilege checking mechanisms. Administrators should also implement proper monitoring of table creation activities and directory access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting local system access to database servers, implementing strict file system permissions, and regularly auditing database user privileges to ensure that users only have access to resources necessary for their legitimate operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include both network-level and host-level security controls to protect against privilege escalation attacks.