CVE-2018-2762 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Connection). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.21 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where MySQL Server executes 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 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:H/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-2018-2762 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's connection handling mechanisms, specifically affecting versions 5.7.21 and earlier. This flaw operates at the server level where MySQL processes incoming connection requests and manages session states, making it particularly dangerous as it targets the fundamental infrastructure that supports database operations. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with legitimate access to the MySQL server infrastructure can leverage this weakness to execute malicious actions without requiring extensive privileges or complex attack vectors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate handling of certain connection states or protocol interactions within the MySQL server's connection management subsystem. When an attacker with high-privileged access attempts to establish or manipulate connections, the server fails to properly validate or process these requests, leading to a condition where the server becomes unresponsive or enters a continuous crash loop. This behavior manifests as a complete denial of service scenario where legitimate database operations cannot proceed due to the server's inability to maintain stable connections. The vulnerability's impact is specifically characterized as a high availability impact, with the CVSS score of 4.4 reflecting the server's potential to become completely unresponsive to legitimate requests.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical database operations, as it can result in complete service disruption. The requirement for high-privileged access to exploit the vulnerability means that attackers must already have substantial access to the system infrastructure, but this still represents a critical escalation path since such access often indicates insider threats or compromised administrative credentials. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can cause cascading failures throughout applications that depend on database connectivity, potentially affecting business operations and customer-facing services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches that address this specific connection handling flaw, ensuring that all MySQL Server instances are updated to versions that contain the necessary fixes. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the attack surface, particularly around database server access points. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual connection patterns or repeated crash events that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the database infrastructure, with particular attention to connection management components that may harbor similar flaws. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which covers buffer overflow conditions, and represents a potential pathway for attackers to execute techniques categorized under the ATT&CK matrix as privilege escalation and denial of service operations.