CVE-2013-3798 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.6.11 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect integrity and availability via unknown vectors related to MemCached.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3798 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL versions 5.6.11 and earlier, specifically involving interactions with MemCached functionality. This unspecified weakness represents a critical security gap that enables remote attackers to compromise both data integrity and system availability through mechanisms that remain partially obscured in the initial disclosure. The vulnerability's connection to MemCached suggests potential issues with how MySQL handles caching mechanisms or memory management when interfacing with MemCached servers, creating pathways for malicious exploitation that could disrupt normal database operations.
Technical analysis reveals that the flaw likely manifests through improper handling of memory allocation or data processing within the MySQL server's caching subsystem when MemCached is enabled or utilized. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that attackers may exploit multiple pathways including buffer overflows, memory corruption, or improper input validation when processing cached data. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that are commonly classified as CWE-119, which encompasses weaknesses related to the use of memory buffers without proper bounds checking. The attack surface expands significantly when considering that MemCached is often used for high-performance data caching, making the exploitation potential particularly dangerous for production environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple availability disruption to encompass data integrity compromise, potentially allowing attackers to modify cached data or manipulate database responses. Remote exploitation capabilities mean that attackers need not have physical access to the system, enabling widespread compromise from external networks. This vulnerability directly impacts the fundamental security principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability as defined by the CIA triad, with the potential for cascading effects throughout database applications that rely on MemCached for performance optimization. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers endpoint detection and response evasion through data manipulation and system disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3798 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to 5.6.12 or later, where Oracle has addressed the underlying MemCached integration issues. Organizations should disable MemCached functionality in MySQL configurations until proper patches are deployed, particularly in environments where external access is permitted. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of MySQL servers to untrusted networks. Monitoring should focus on unusual memory usage patterns and unexpected cache invalidation events that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular assessment of database components for similar MemCached-related vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that database functionality remains intact while addressing the integrity and availability concerns that this vulnerability presents to enterprise systems.