CVE-2017-3313 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: MyISAM). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.53 and earlier, 5.6.34 and earlier and 5.7.16 and earlier. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where MySQL Server executes to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS v3.0 Base Score 4.7 (Confidentiality impacts).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/15/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3313 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the MyISAM storage engine subcomponent. This flaw affects multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.5.53 and earlier, 5.6.34 and earlier, and 5.7.16 and earlier, representing a significant portion of the MySQL server ecosystem. The vulnerability classification as low privilege allows for exploitation by attackers who already possess legitimate login credentials to the MySQL server infrastructure, making it particularly concerning for environments where administrative access might be compromised or where users have unnecessary elevated privileges. The CVSS v3.0 base score of 4.7 indicates a medium severity vulnerability with confidentiality impacts, suggesting that successful exploitation could lead to unauthorized access to sensitive data or complete data compromise within the MySQL server environment.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from issues within the MyISAM storage engine implementation, which is a legacy storage engine in MySQL that was designed for fast read operations and simple table structures. The flaw likely involves improper handling of certain operations within the MyISAM engine that could be manipulated by an authenticated user to gain unauthorized access to database contents. This type of vulnerability typically manifests through improper input validation, buffer overflows, or access control bypass mechanisms within the storage engine's code execution paths. According to CWE classifications, this vulnerability likely corresponds to CWE-20: Improper Input Validation or CWE-264: Permissions, Privileges and Access Controls, given the context of low privilege attackers gaining unauthorized access to data. The vulnerability's difficulty to exploit suggests that while it requires some level of access and knowledge, the attack vector is not overly complex once the attacker has established a foothold within the MySQL server environment.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3313 extends beyond simple data theft, as it could potentially lead to complete compromise of the MySQL server's data integrity and confidentiality. An attacker with low privilege access could leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive information stored in MyISAM tables, potentially including user credentials, personal data, financial records, or other confidential business information. The vulnerability's potential for unauthorized access to critical data means that organizations using affected MySQL versions may experience significant data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and financial losses. The impact is particularly severe because MyISAM tables are often used for read-heavy operations and may contain large volumes of critical business data. Organizations implementing the ATT&CK framework would recognize this vulnerability as potentially enabling techniques such as credential access and data extraction, with the attack chain likely beginning with initial access through legitimate credentials and progressing to privilege escalation or data exfiltration within the database environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3313 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL server installations to versions that have addressed this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive access control measures, including principle of least privilege enforcement, regular audit of user permissions, and monitoring of database access patterns for suspicious activities. Database administrators should consider migrating from MyISAM to InnoDB storage engine where possible, as InnoDB provides better security features and is the default storage engine in modern MySQL versions. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to MySQL servers, regular security assessments of database configurations, and maintaining detailed logging of database activities for forensic analysis. Organizations should also ensure that their security monitoring systems are configured to detect unauthorized access attempts and data access patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the upgrade does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications and that all database functionalities continue to operate correctly after the security updates are applied.