CVE-2017-10320 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.19 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-2017-10320 resides within the InnoDB storage engine of Oracle MySQL Server, specifically affecting versions 5.7.19 and earlier. This represents a critical availability-focused weakness that demonstrates how database infrastructure components can be exploited to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability operates within the server-side processing mechanisms of MySQL's InnoDB storage engine, which is responsible for transactional database operations and storage management. The flaw manifests as a condition that can cause system instability when specific database operations are executed under certain circumstances, creating a potential denial of service scenario that directly impacts the operational continuity of database services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how InnoDB processes certain database operations that can lead to system resource exhaustion or internal state corruption. Attackers with high privileged access and network connectivity can exploit this weakness by crafting specific database queries or operations that trigger the vulnerable code path within the InnoDB engine. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, where successful exploitation results in complete denial of service conditions that can cause MySQL Server to hang or repeatedly crash. This vulnerability specifically targets the server's ability to maintain consistent operation and availability, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on MySQL database services, as it allows attackers to cause complete service disruption through carefully constructed attacks. The requirement for high privileged access means that the threat actor must already have elevated database credentials or administrative access, but this does not make the vulnerability any less dangerous given the potential for complete system compromise. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption, as repeated exploitation can lead to persistent availability issues that may require system restarts or manual intervention to restore normal operations. Organizations with automated monitoring systems may detect the repeated crashes, but the underlying impact on business operations can be substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10320 primarily focus on upgrading to supported versions of MySQL Server where the vulnerability has been addressed through official patches and updates. Organizations should prioritize immediate deployment of Oracle's security patches that resolve the InnoDB storage engine flaw, as these updates contain the necessary code modifications to prevent the exploitation conditions. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact by restricting network access to database servers and implementing principle of least privilege for database accounts. Additionally, implementing robust monitoring and alerting systems can help detect exploitation attempts and provide early warning of potential denial of service conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a specific implementation weakness in database transaction handling that falls under ATT&CK technique T1499 for network denial of service attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database infrastructure components and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.