CVE-2017-3454 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.17 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 as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3454 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server's InnoDB storage engine, specifically affecting versions 5.7.17 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the server component of MySQL and operates at a fundamental level of database operations, making it particularly dangerous for systems that rely heavily on database integrity and availability. The flaw demonstrates characteristics that align with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and falls under the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to system instability and data compromise.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker with high privileges and network access through multiple protocols, indicating that the attack vector is not limited to a single communication channel. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be leveraged across various network interfaces and protocol layers. The CVSS score of 5.5 reflects the balance between the attack complexity and the potential impact, with a high availability impact score that suggests the vulnerability can be used to create complete denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that sophisticated attack techniques are not required, making it accessible to a broader range of threat actors.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting CVE-2017-3454 can manifest in severe system degradation and data compromise scenarios. Attackers can cause MySQL Server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively creating a complete denial of service condition that can render database services unavailable to legitimate users and applications. Beyond the availability impact, the vulnerability also enables unauthorized modification of database content, allowing attackers to perform insert, update, or delete operations on specific portions of the database. This dual impact on both availability and integrity creates a dangerous scenario where database systems can be simultaneously compromised and rendered unusable.
This vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the Tactic of Persistence and Defense Evasion, where attackers can maintain access while causing system instability. The ability to cause repeated crashes and hangs aligns with techniques used to create persistent access points or to disrupt service availability. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, while also ensuring that MySQL installations are updated to versions that address this vulnerability. The CVSS vector indicates that while the attack requires high privileges, the impact on system availability is severe, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for database-centric applications and services that require high availability and data integrity.
The broader implications of this vulnerability extend beyond immediate system compromise to include potential data corruption and unauthorized access to sensitive information stored within the affected database systems. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure that all MySQL installations are updated to versions that have been certified as free from this vulnerability. Additionally, monitoring systems should be implemented to detect unusual patterns of database crashes or unauthorized access attempts that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The combination of availability and integrity impacts makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous for systems where database reliability and data consistency are mission-critical requirements.