CVE-2013-3801 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.5.30 and earlier and 5.6.10 allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server Options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3801 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.5.30 and earlier, as well as 5.6.10 and earlier releases. This unspecified weakness falls under the category of server options related issues that can potentially compromise system availability. The vulnerability requires remote authenticated access, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to access the MySQL server before being able to exploit this weakness. This authentication requirement provides some level of protection against unauthenticated attacks but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as compromised accounts or weak authentication mechanisms could still expose systems to exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves server options that control various operational parameters and configurations within the MySQL database server. These server options govern how the database processes requests, manages resources, and handles different operational scenarios. When a flaw exists within these configuration parameters or their handling mechanisms, it can lead to unexpected behavior that affects system availability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vector suggests that the exact technical mechanism through which the availability is compromised has not been fully disclosed or documented in the initial CVE description, though it relates to how the server processes certain option configurations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database availability and system reliability. When an authenticated attacker can manipulate server options to affect availability, they potentially gain the ability to disrupt database services, cause system crashes, or create denial of service conditions that can impact business operations. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from outside the local network perimeter, making it particularly dangerous for systems that are exposed to the internet or have remote access capabilities. Organizations with critical database dependencies may experience service interruptions, data access delays, or complete system unavailability depending on how the vulnerability is exploited.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat models, particularly those addressing database security and availability concerns. From a CWE perspective, this issue relates to weaknesses in server configuration management and option handling, which could be classified under CWE-200 for exposure of sensitive information or CWE-119 for memory safety issues related to server options. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as attackers can leverage authenticated access to compromise system availability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader database security posture, particularly when implementing security controls for database management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-3801 should focus on immediate patch management and configuration hardening. Organizations must upgrade to MySQL versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically moving beyond the affected versions mentioned in the CVE description. Regular patch management procedures should be implemented to ensure that all database systems receive timely security updates. Additionally, implementing strict access controls and monitoring for unauthorized configuration changes can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and firewall rules should limit access to MySQL servers to only authorized systems and users. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual server option modifications and abnormal database service behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also conduct regular security assessments of database configurations to identify and remediate any unnecessary or insecure server options that could be exploited.