CVE-2017-10294 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.37 and earlier and 5.7.19 and earlier. Easily exploitable 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 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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-2017-10294 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Optimizer subcomponent, affecting critical database infrastructure used by organizations worldwide. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it targets the core optimization engine that processes database queries and operations, making it a prime target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt database services. The vulnerability impacts MySQL versions 5.6.37 and earlier, as well as 5.7.19 and earlier, encompassing a substantial portion of legacy database deployments that many organizations continue to operate due to compatibility requirements or migration delays.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain optimizer operations that can lead to denial of service conditions within the MySQL server process. Attackers with high privileged access and network connectivity can exploit this weakness to trigger conditions that cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 4.9, indicating a moderate severity level, though the availability impact is rated as high, reflecting the complete denial of service potential that can compromise database operations across enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database downtime can cascade through entire application ecosystems that depend on MySQL for data persistence and transaction processing. Organizations running critical applications such as e-commerce platforms, financial systems, or enterprise resource planning solutions face significant business continuity risks when this vulnerability is exploited, potentially leading to revenue loss, customer dissatisfaction, and regulatory compliance issues. The vulnerability's ease of exploitation means that attackers with minimal technical skills and high privileges can cause substantial disruption, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged accounts may be compromised or where access controls are insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10294 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions that contain fixes for the optimizer-related issues. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database servers to untrusted networks, as the vulnerability requires network access for exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual database server behavior or repeated connection failures that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing database firewalls and query monitoring solutions can help identify and block potentially malicious optimizer operations before they can cause service disruption.
This vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) and T1071.004 (Application Layer Protocol: DNS) as attackers may leverage network protocols to deliver malicious optimizer queries. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability corresponds to CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific manifestation involves resource exhaustion and process termination rather than traditional buffer overflow exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous query patterns and optimizer behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure rapid restoration of services in case of successful attacks.