CVE-2017-3456 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DML). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.54 and earlier, 5.6.35 and earlier and 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. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/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-2017-3456 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: DML subcomponent, representing a critical availability threat that affects multiple version lines of Oracle MySQL. This vulnerability manifests as a flaw in how the database server processes certain DML operations, creating a pathway for attackers to disrupt service availability. The affected versions include MySQL 5.5.54 and earlier, 5.6.35 and earlier, and 5.7.17 and earlier, indicating a widespread impact across the MySQL ecosystem that spans several major release branches. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable suggests that attackers with minimal technical sophistication can leverage this flaw, though it requires high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols to execute successfully.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows for a complete denial of service condition where an attacker can cause the MySQL Server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users. This occurs through manipulation of specific DML operations that trigger internal server processing errors, leading to resource exhaustion or memory corruption that results in system instability. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.9 with a high availability impact rating reflects the severity of the potential consequences, as the vulnerability can be exploited to create persistent service disruptions that may require manual intervention to restore normal operations. The attack vector requires network access and high privileges, suggesting that the vulnerability is not easily exploitable by casual attackers but poses significant risk to organizations where privileged access might be compromised or where insufficient access controls exist.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential business continuity issues, especially for organizations that rely heavily on MySQL databases for critical operations. When a MySQL server becomes unavailable due to this vulnerability, it can cascade into downstream applications and services that depend on database connectivity, creating widespread operational disruption. The repeatable nature of the crashes means that once exploited, the vulnerability can be repeatedly used to maintain service disruption without requiring complex re-exploitation efforts. Organizations may face significant downtime costs, data access limitations, and potential customer impact when this vulnerability is successfully exploited, particularly in environments where database availability is mission-critical. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 which addresses buffer overflow conditions, and potentially relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, representing a specific implementation of availability-focused compromise mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-3456 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit privileged network access to MySQL servers, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of database server crashes or hangs that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper privilege management and least-privilege access controls can help minimize the impact if an attacker does gain access to the system. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in database systems, while maintaining up-to-date security baselines and configuration standards to prevent exploitation of similar weaknesses in the MySQL infrastructure.