CVE-2017-3450 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Memcached). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.35 and earlier and 5.7.17 and earlier. Easily "exploitable" vulnerability allows unauthenticated 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 7.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/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-2017-3450 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Memcached subcomponent, representing a critical availability risk that affects multiple versions of Oracle MySQL. This vulnerability manifests in a manner that allows unauthenticated attackers to exploit it remotely, requiring only network access through multiple protocols to execute successful attacks. The flaw operates at a fundamental level within the database server's memory management system, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal service operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the Memcached interface of MySQL Server, which creates opportunities for memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions. Attackers can leverage this weakness to induce a denial of service scenario that results in complete system unavailability, as the vulnerability allows for both hang conditions and frequently repeatable crashes that can be triggered repeatedly. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system categorizes this as a high-severity issue with a base score of 7.5, reflecting the significant availability impact that can be achieved through exploitation. The vector notation AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H clearly indicates network-based exploitation with low attack complexity, no authentication requirements, and high availability impact.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical database operations, as it can result in complete service disruption without requiring any privileged credentials or complex attack vectors. The ease of exploitation means that even casual attackers can potentially compromise database availability, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability, especially in environments where MySQL serves as a core component of application infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate mitigation efforts including applying the relevant Oracle Critical Patch Updates or upgrading to supported versions that address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls can provide temporary protection by limiting exposure to trusted networks, though these measures do not eliminate the underlying risk. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes the weakness of stack-based buffer overflow, and may be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499 for network denial of service attacks. Regular monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to identify potential exploitation attempts, while incident response procedures should be updated to address this specific threat vector. System administrators should also consider implementing additional redundancy measures and backup procedures to maintain service availability during remediation activities.