CVE-2018-2622 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DDL). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.58 and prior, 5.6.38 and prior and 5.7.20 and prior. 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 ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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-2018-2622 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server's Data Definition Language processing subsystem. This flaw exists in multiple version ranges including 5.5.58 and earlier, 5.6.38 and earlier, and 5.7.20 and earlier releases, making it a widespread concern across the MySQL ecosystem. The vulnerability resides in the Server: DDL subcomponent, which handles database schema modifications and structural changes. Attackers exploiting this weakness can leverage network-based access through various protocols to target MySQL servers, making it particularly dangerous as it requires minimal privileges to initiate an attack.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain DDL operations that can trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions within the MySQL server process. When maliciously crafted DDL statements are executed against a vulnerable MySQL instance, they can cause the server to enter an unstable state leading to complete system hangs or repeated crashes. This behavior manifests as a denial of service condition that can persist until the MySQL service is manually restarted or the system is rebooted. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible due to the low privilege requirements and the fact that attackers only need network connectivity to the target server.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2622 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render database systems unusable for legitimate business operations. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical applications face significant downtime risks when this vulnerability is exploited, potentially leading to data access interruptions, transaction failures, and cascading effects throughout dependent systems. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.5 indicates a moderate to high severity threat with availability being the primary impacted confidentiality and integrity aspects remaining unaffected. The attack vector requires network access with low privileges, making it accessible to both internal and external threat actors who may not possess elevated system permissions.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122, representing heap-based buffer overflow scenarios that could manifest in similar crash behaviors. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.001, covering spearphishing via email, as attackers may use this weakness to target MySQL servers through various network protocols. The vulnerability's classification as a complete DOS condition means that successful exploitation can result in persistent service unavailability, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations and potentially allowing attackers to maintain persistent disruption of database services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest Oracle security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to MySQL services, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious DDL operations. Database administrators should also consider implementing additional access controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized DDL statement execution. The vulnerability's widespread nature across multiple MySQL versions underscores the importance of comprehensive patch management strategies and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database infrastructure components.