CVE-2017-3646 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: X Plugin). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.16 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 • 01/04/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-3646 resides within Oracle MySQL's X Plugin component, which serves as a high-performance API layer for interacting with MySQL databases. This flaw specifically affects MySQL Server versions 5.7.16 and earlier, representing a critical weakness in the database's network-facing interface. The X Plugin enables applications to communicate with MySQL using the X Protocol, which supports both SQL and document-based operations. This component operates as a separate service within the MySQL ecosystem, providing an alternative to traditional MySQL protocol connections and supporting modern application development patterns that require high throughput and low latency.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the X Plugin's processing logic. Attackers with high-privileged network access can exploit this weakness by crafting specially malformed requests that trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions within the MySQL server process. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible due to the network-based attack vector that requires minimal privileges beyond what is already available to authenticated high-privileged users. The flaw manifests as a complete denial of service condition where the MySQL server becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to database availability and system stability. The complete denial of service condition can result in extended downtime for applications dependent on MySQL services, potentially causing cascading failures throughout enterprise systems that rely on database connectivity. The CVSS 3.0 score of 4.9 indicates a moderate to high severity impact, with the availability impact being the primary concern. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential business disruption, service degradation, and increased operational overhead as they must respond to the vulnerability. The vulnerability affects systems where the X Plugin is enabled and accessible over network protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database services are exposed to external networks or where multiple network protocols provide access paths.
The security implications extend beyond immediate service disruption, as this vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices within Oracle's database implementation. The flaw aligns with CWE-129, which covers improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of insufficient input sanitization that allows attackers to manipulate internal system states. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MySQL Server versions 5.7.17 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and error handling mechanisms. Additionally, administrators should disable the X Plugin if it is not actively required, as this reduces the attack surface and minimizes potential exploitation opportunities. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual network traffic patterns or repeated connection attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.