CVE-2017-3464 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DDL). 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 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. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.3 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3464 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server's Data Definition Language processing functionality. This flaw exists in the server component's handling of certain DDL operations and affects multiple version lines including 5.5.54 and earlier, 5.6.35 and earlier, and 5.7.17 and earlier releases. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise MySQL server operations. The security implications extend beyond simple data integrity concerns as the flaw allows for unauthorized modification of database content through update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-284 access control weakness category, specifically related to insufficient access control mechanisms within database server components.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain Data Definition Language statements within the MySQL Server's DDL processing subsystem. Attackers can exploit this weakness through multiple network protocols, making the attack surface broader and more accessible than typical database vulnerabilities. The low privilege requirement means that even users with minimal database permissions can potentially leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database operations. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.3 reflects the integrity impact of 4.3, indicating that while the vulnerability does not directly allow for data disclosure or complete system compromise, it enables unauthorized modifications to database content. The attack vector AV:N indicates network-based exploitation is possible, while AC:L shows low attack complexity, and PR:L demonstrates that only low privileges are required to execute successful attacks. The unscoped impact (S:U) suggests that the vulnerability affects the target system without requiring additional system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-3464 extends beyond simple data integrity violations as it creates potential for data corruption, unauthorized data manipulation, and could enable more sophisticated attacks that build upon this initial compromise. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face risks of unauthorized database modifications that could lead to data loss, service disruption, or regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive business data, financial records, or personal information stored within MySQL databases. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader database security posture, as it represents a critical weakness that can be exploited by attackers with minimal network access and low privileges. The impact on database integrity could potentially affect business operations and require extensive forensic analysis to determine the full scope of any successful exploitation attempts.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches and updates to address the vulnerability in affected MySQL versions. Database administrators should conduct thorough inventory assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable MySQL versions and prioritize patch deployment. Network segmentation and access controls should be strengthened to limit unnecessary network access to MySQL servers, reducing the attack surface for exploitation attempts. Regular security monitoring and database activity auditing should be implemented to detect any unauthorized database modifications that might indicate successful exploitation. Additionally, organizations should review their database privilege management policies to ensure that users have only the minimum necessary permissions required for their operational functions, thereby limiting the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1046 for network service scanning highlights the need for comprehensive monitoring of both account usage patterns and network access attempts to the database systems.