CVE-2010-3683 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle MySQL 5.1 before 5.1.49 and 5.5 before 5.5.5 sends an OK packet when a LOAD DATA INFILE request generates SQL errors, which allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (mysqld daemon crash) via a crafted request.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-3683 represents a critical flaw in Oracle MySQL database systems affecting versions prior to 5.1.49 and 5.5.5. This issue manifests as a failure in proper error handling within the database daemon's response mechanism, specifically when processing LOAD DATA INFILE operations. The vulnerability exists in the protocol implementation where the mysqld daemon sends an OK packet instead of an appropriate error response when SQL errors occur during data loading operations, creating a condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw stems from improper state management and response generation within the MySQL server's communication protocol. When a LOAD DATA INFILE command is executed and encounters SQL errors such as data type mismatches, constraint violations, or other parsing issues, the server should generate an appropriate error packet to inform the client of the failure. However, the vulnerable implementation sends an OK packet indicating successful completion, which confuses both the client application and the database daemon itself. This miscommunication creates a state inconsistency that can trigger a daemon crash, effectively causing a denial of service condition.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to database availability and system stability. Remote authenticated users can exploit this weakness to crash the mysqld daemon, resulting in complete service disruption for database clients. The attack requires only authenticated access to the database system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database credentials are widely distributed or where privilege escalation is possible. The vulnerability can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including automated exploitation tools that systematically test for the condition, leading to potential widespread service outages across multiple database instances.
The flaw aligns with CWE-248, an unspecified flaw in the error handling mechanism that allows for unexpected program termination or state corruption. This vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers might use this weakness in conjunction with other attack vectors to compromise database availability. The issue demonstrates poor input validation and error handling practices that violate fundamental security principles of robust system design. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of MySQL, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database systems, and monitoring for anomalous LOAD DATA INFILE operations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, database administrators should consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious patterns in database communication protocols, particularly around data loading operations and error response handling anomalies.