CVE-2017-3257 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.34 and earlier5.7.16 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 v3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Availability impacts).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3257 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server's InnoDB storage engine component. This flaw exists in specific version ranges including MySQL 5.6.34 and earlier, as well as MySQL 5.7.16 and earlier, making it a widespread concern across multiple supported releases. The vulnerability is classified as easily exploitable due to its accessibility through multiple network protocols, requiring minimal privileges from attackers who can leverage network access to target affected systems. The CVSS v3.0 base score of 6.5 indicates a moderate to high severity threat with primary impact focused on system availability rather than confidentiality or integrity. This designation places the vulnerability within the scope of availability-focused attacks that can severely disrupt database operations and service delivery.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from a flaw within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of certain database operations, specifically related to how it processes specific transaction sequences or data structures. The vulnerability manifests as a condition that can cause the MySQL Server to enter a state of indefinite hanging or experience frequent, repeatable crashes that can effectively render the database service unavailable. This behavior aligns with the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) classification for issues related to resource management and system stability, particularly CWE-476 which addresses NULL pointer dereferences and related resource handling problems. The vulnerability's exploitation requires only low privileged network access, meaning that even users with minimal database permissions can potentially trigger the denial of service condition through carefully crafted database operations or connection patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3257 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass significant business continuity concerns for organizations relying on MySQL databases. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause complete denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore database functionality, including server restarts and potential data recovery procedures. The repeatable nature of the crashes means that once an attacker identifies and exploits the vulnerability, they can repeatedly cause service interruptions, making it particularly dangerous for production environments where database availability is critical. Organizations may experience extended downtime, loss of productivity, and potential data consistency issues during recovery operations, with the frequency of crashes potentially leading to cascading failures in applications that depend on the affected database services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3257 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict access to MySQL services, including firewall rules that limit connections to trusted sources and port filtering to reduce attack surface. Database administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual patterns of connection attempts or transaction processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and privilege management can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by ensuring that only authorized users can establish connections to database services. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK framework tactics related to defense evasion and resource exhaustion, where the vulnerability represents a specific technique for achieving availability disruption through system resource manipulation and process control. Organizations should also prepare incident response procedures that include rapid recovery protocols for database services and maintain backup and recovery procedures to minimize downtime during exploitation events.