CVE-2018-2583 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Stored Procedure). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.38 and prior and 5.7.20 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. While the vulnerability is in MySQL Server, attacks may significantly impact additional products. 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 6.8 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:C/C:N/I:N/A:H).
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2583 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the stored procedure subcomponent of Oracle MySQL database systems. This flaw affects versions 5.6.38 and earlier, as well as 5.7.20 and prior, making it a widespread issue across multiple MySQL server releases. The vulnerability is classified as easily exploitable, meaning that attackers with relatively low technical sophistication can leverage it effectively. The security implications are particularly concerning as the vulnerability requires only high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols to execute successful attacks, making it accessible to attackers who have already gained administrative-level access to the system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw in the stored procedure execution engine of MySQL Server, which can lead to complete denial of service conditions. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to cause either a hang condition or frequently repeatable crashes that can completely bring down the MySQL Server instance. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 6.8, which falls into the medium-high severity category, with the availability impact component rated as high. The attack vector is classified as network-based (AV:N), meaning that exploitation can occur remotely without requiring physical access to the system, while the attack complexity is rated as low (AC:L), indicating that the attack requires minimal effort to execute. The privilege requirement is high (PR:H), suggesting that attackers must already possess administrative or high-privilege credentials to successfully exploit this vulnerability, and there is no user interaction requirement (UI:N). The scope of impact extends beyond just the MySQL Server itself, as successful exploitation can significantly affect additional products and systems that depend on the database service.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2583 is substantial and directly affects the availability of critical database services within enterprise environments. Organizations relying on MySQL Server for their core database operations face potential business disruption when this vulnerability is exploited, as the complete denial of service condition can render database systems inaccessible to legitimate users and applications. The vulnerability's potential to cause repeated crashes makes it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses memory safety issues in software components, and represents a classic availability-focused attack pattern that can be categorized under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple versions and can be exploited through various network protocols increases the attack surface and makes it more challenging to secure against. Organizations must understand that this vulnerability can be leveraged as part of broader attack campaigns where attackers first gain administrative access to systems and then use this specific flaw to cause service disruptions that can mask other malicious activities or create opportunities for additional attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2583 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to versions that contain the security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of MySQL Server instances to only trusted administrative networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual patterns of database service disruption or repeated connection failures that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include verification of MySQL Server configurations to ensure that administrative access is properly restricted and that the stored procedure execution environment is properly hardened. The implementation of intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts through network-based attacks targeting MySQL services provides an additional layer of defense. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive backup and disaster recovery procedures to ensure rapid restoration of database services in case of successful exploitation, as the denial of service impact can be severe and immediate. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring tools that can detect anomalous stored procedure execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a high-impact availability issue makes it crucial for organizations to maintain updated incident response procedures specifically addressing database service disruptions, as the consequences of exploitation can extend far beyond the immediate database system to affect entire enterprise applications and services that depend on database availability.