CVE-2017-10286 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.37 and earlier and 5.7.19 and earlier. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high 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 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10286 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the InnoDB storage engine subcomponent. This flaw affects Oracle MySQL versions 5.6.37 and earlier, as well as 5.7.19 and earlier, representing a significant security gap in database server infrastructure. The vulnerability classification as a difficulty to exploit indicates that while the attack vector is not trivial, it remains a serious concern for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL installations. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 4.4, with the availability impact component carrying the highest weight, reflecting the potential for complete denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from an issue within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of specific database operations that can trigger a condition leading to server instability. An attacker with high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols can leverage this weakness to compromise the MySQL server's availability. The attack requires a certain level of privilege within the network environment, suggesting that the vulnerability is not easily exploitable by casual attackers but poses a real threat to those who already have elevated access rights. The specific nature of the flaw involves operations that cause the server to hang or experience frequently repeatable crashes, effectively creating a complete denial of service scenario.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system unavailability for database services. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows an attacker to cause repeated crashes that can persist until manual intervention occurs, making it particularly dangerous for production environments where database availability is critical. This type of vulnerability can severely impact business continuity, especially in environments where MySQL serves as a core component of data storage and retrieval systems. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical applications face significant risk of service interruption and potential data access denial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10286 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit privileged network access to database servers, aligning with defense-in-depth principles. The vulnerability's classification as a high privilege requirement means that proper access control measures and least privilege principles become critical defensive controls. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database server behavior and crash patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability relates to CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers endpoint denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts against this specific vulnerability.