CVE-2017-3331 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DML). The supported version that is affected is 5.7.11 to 5.7.17. 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 3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3331 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's DML (Data Manipulation Language) subsystem, specifically affecting versions 5.7.11 through 5.7.17. This represents a significant security weakness that operates at the core database management system level, where the flaw manifests in how the server processes certain data manipulation operations. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the targeted MySQL server infrastructure. The affected version range demonstrates that this issue was present in a specific release cycle of MySQL's enterprise database platform, making it a critical concern for organizations running these particular versions in production environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain DML operations within the MySQL Server architecture, creating a condition where malicious input can trigger abnormal server behavior. The flaw allows for a complete denial of service scenario where the MySQL server becomes unresponsive or enters a continuous crash loop, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. This type of vulnerability operates at the system level rather than at the application layer, meaning that successful exploitation can cause the database server to become completely non-functional and require manual intervention to restore service. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 6.5 reflects the high availability impact potential, with the vector indicating network accessibility, low attack complexity, and the requirement for only low privileges to execute the exploit successfully.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3331 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially cause significant business continuity issues for organizations relying on MySQL databases. When a MySQL server experiences the hang or frequent crashes associated with this vulnerability, database applications that depend on the service may fail completely, leading to data access interruptions and potential loss of business transactions. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeated crashes means that even if administrators manage to restart the service temporarily, the flaw can cause the system to become unstable and require continuous monitoring and intervention. Organizations may experience cascading failures throughout their database-dependent applications, as the complete denial of service affects not just the database itself but all systems and services that rely on database connectivity for their operations. This vulnerability particularly impacts enterprise environments where MySQL serves as a critical data storage layer for applications and services that require high availability and reliability.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where an attacker with low privileges can leverage network access to cause system instability. This weakness maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation may involve other memory handling issues within the DML processing code. Organizations should immediately apply the relevant Oracle security patches and updates to address this vulnerability, particularly focusing on upgrading from affected versions 5.7.11 through 5.7.17 to patched releases. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure, though the vulnerability's low privilege requirement makes such measures less effective as a standalone defense. Regular monitoring of database server performance and availability is essential to detect potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures ensures business continuity in case of successful attacks. The vulnerability's impact on system availability makes it particularly concerning for organizations operating under compliance requirements that mandate high availability database services and continuous data access.