CVE-2017-3455 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Security: Privileges). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.17 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 update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.4 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3455 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL, specifically within the Server: Security: Privileges subcomponent. This flaw affects MySQL versions 5.7.17 and earlier, representing a significant security concern for database administrators and system operators who rely on MySQL for critical data storage and processing operations. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal technical expertise can leverage this weakness to compromise affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database security is paramount.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient privilege checks within the MySQL server implementation, allowing attackers with low privileges to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability can be exploited through multiple network protocols, providing attackers with various attack vectors to compromise the system. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 5.4 reflects the moderate severity of this flaw, with both confidentiality and integrity impacts rated as low. The attack vector is classified as network accessible, meaning no local access is required for exploitation, while the low privilege requirement indicates that attackers need minimal access rights to launch successful attacks. The vulnerability's impact extends to unauthorized update, insert, and delete operations on database content, as well as unauthorized read access to specific subsets of database data, creating potential for both data modification and information disclosure.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3455 can be substantial for organizations relying on MySQL databases, as it allows attackers to manipulate or extract sensitive information from database systems. This vulnerability directly violates fundamental security principles by enabling privilege escalation through network-based attacks, potentially leading to data breaches, unauthorized modifications, and compromised database integrity. Organizations using affected MySQL versions face risks of unauthorized data access, which could result in regulatory compliance violations, financial losses, and reputational damage. The vulnerability's presence in the security privileges subsystem means that even users with limited database access could potentially gain broader data access capabilities, undermining the principle of least privilege that is fundamental to database security architecture.
From a cybersecurity framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that is central to the MITRE ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation techniques. The vulnerability's characteristics make it particularly relevant to the ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1484 (Domain Policy Modification) as it allows attackers to leverage existing user accounts to gain unauthorized access to database resources. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation, firewall rules, and strict access controls to mitigate the risk of exploitation, while also ensuring that all MySQL installations are updated to versions that contain the necessary security patches. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping database software up to date and implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unauthorized access attempts.
Organizations should prioritize patch management activities to address this vulnerability, as Oracle typically releases security patches that resolve such privilege escalation issues in their MySQL products. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring, regular access privilege reviews, and network intrusion detection systems can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential privilege escalation paths within their database environments, as this vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for comprehensive security controls around database access management and privilege enforcement mechanisms.