CVE-2018-2590 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Performance Schema). 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. 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 • 01/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2590 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Performance Schema subcomponent, representing a critical availability risk that affects multiple versions of Oracle MySQL. This flaw manifests in the server's handling of certain performance schema operations, creating a pathway for attackers to induce system instability through carefully crafted network requests. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that minimal technical sophistication is required to leverage this weakness, making it particularly concerning for production environments where MySQL servers are accessible over networks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of resource management within the Performance Schema functionality, which is designed to monitor and collect performance data from the MySQL server. When specific performance schema queries or operations are executed, the server fails to properly validate or manage the resources allocated to these operations, leading to potential memory corruption or resource exhaustion scenarios. This flaw operates at a low level within the server's architecture, where the interaction between the performance monitoring subsystem and the core server processes creates an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the system's operational state through network-based attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as successful exploitation can result in complete denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore normal server operations. Attackers with high privileged network access can repeatedly trigger the vulnerable code path, causing the MySQL server to enter a state of frequent crashes or complete hangs that effectively render the database service unavailable to legitimate users. The CVSS 3.0 score of 4.9 reflects the significant availability impact, with the vector indicating network accessibility, low attack complexity, high privileges required, and no user interaction needed, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database availability is critical for business operations.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in data structures, and represents a specific instance of resource management flaws that can lead to system instability. The attack pattern follows ATT&CK technique T1499.004, specifically targeting availability through resource exhaustion or system manipulation. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately, as the combination of its easily exploitable nature and the potential for complete server downtime makes it a high-priority security concern. Mitigation strategies should include applying the latest MySQL patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns of server restarts or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts.