CVE-2017-10276 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: FTS). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.37 and earlier and 5.7.19 and earlier. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10276 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Full-Text Search (FTS) subsystem. This issue affects Oracle MySQL versions 5.6.37 and earlier, as well as 5.7.19 and earlier, representing a significant security gap that impacts database server availability. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition, where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to manipulate memory structures during full-text search operations. The attack vector requires network access and can be executed through multiple protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database servers are exposed to untrusted networks.
The technical flaw manifests when the MySQL server processes certain full-text search queries that trigger memory corruption within the FTS subsystem. This condition creates a scenario where an attacker with low privileges can craft specific input parameters that lead to memory exhaustion or invalid memory access patterns. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible due to the minimal privilege requirements and the availability of multiple network protocols that can be leveraged for the attack. The underlying mechanism involves improper handling of search result processing, where the server fails to validate input lengths and memory allocation boundaries during full-text query execution, leading to potential memory corruption that can be systematically exploited.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as successful exploitation results in complete denial of service conditions that can cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash. This availability impact is particularly severe for database environments where uptime is critical for business operations, as the server may require manual restart to recover from the crash state. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.5 reflects the high availability impact with a low attack complexity and the requirement for only low privileges, making it attractive to attackers seeking to disrupt database services without requiring extensive access rights. The vulnerability affects the entire MySQL server process rather than individual database objects, meaning that legitimate users may experience complete service interruption during exploitation attempts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches from Oracle, which address the buffer overflow conditions within the FTS subsystem. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be enforced to limit access to MySQL server ports, particularly restricting connections to authorized network segments only. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns in database query execution or server crash events will aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 for endpoint denial of service, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to disrupt service availability. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning for MySQL components to identify similar issues in other database subsystems, while access controls should be strictly enforced to prevent unauthorized users from executing potentially malicious queries against the database server.