CVE-2018-2758 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server : Security : Privileges). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.39 and prior and 5.7.21 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 • 03/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2758 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's security privilege subsystem, specifically affecting versions 5.6.39 and earlier, as well as 5.7.21 and prior releases. This flaw represents a critical availability risk that stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the server's privilege handling processes. The vulnerability impacts the fundamental security architecture of MySQL databases by creating a potential pathway for unauthorized privilege escalation and service disruption. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can leverage network-based access through multiple protocols to execute malicious operations that compromise the integrity and availability of database services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw in how MySQL Server processes certain privilege-related operations, creating conditions where malformed input can trigger unexpected behavior within the server's memory management and execution pathways. This weakness allows low-privileged attackers to craft specific requests that cause the MySQL Server daemon to enter a state of continuous resource consumption or complete system freeze. The vulnerability's exploitability rating of easily exploitable indicates that attackers require minimal technical expertise to successfully compromise affected systems, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is critical. The underlying mechanism typically involves manipulation of privilege checking routines that fail to properly validate input parameters before processing them within the server's core execution engines.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2758 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass complete denial of service conditions that can bring database operations to a halt. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can cause MySQL Server processes to enter infinite loops, consume excessive system resources, or crash entirely, resulting in complete service unavailability for legitimate users and applications. This type of vulnerability directly violates the availability principles of the CIA triad and can severely impact business continuity, especially in environments where database systems serve as critical infrastructure components. Organizations may experience significant downtime, data access interruptions, and potential revenue loss due to the complete service disruption caused by this vulnerability. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.5 reflects the medium severity of the availability impact, though the actual business impact can be much more severe depending on the environment and the criticality of the affected database services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2758 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Oracle, which addresses the privilege validation flaw through updated server components and enhanced input sanitization routines. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of MySQL services to untrusted networks, while also establishing robust monitoring systems to detect unusual patterns of database service behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all affected MySQL instances across their infrastructure and implement mandatory patch management procedures to prevent similar vulnerabilities from accumulating. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database firewalls and intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious privilege-related activities and protocol anomalies that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in memory management, and represents a specific implementation weakness in the privilege subsystem that can be addressed through proper input validation and access control mechanisms as recommended in various cybersecurity frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards.