CVE-2018-2784 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: InnoDB). 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-2018-2784 resides within the InnoDB storage engine of Oracle MySQL servers, representing a critical availability risk that affects multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.6.39 and earlier, as well as MySQL 5.7.21 and prior releases. This flaw operates at the core database engine level where InnoDB manages data storage and retrieval operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by attackers with minimal privileges. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires only network access through multiple protocols without the need for specialized tools or extensive preparation, which significantly broadens the potential attack surface. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 6.5, reflecting the high availability impact with a high attack complexity score of 6.5, and the fact that no user interaction is required for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain database operations within the InnoDB storage engine that can lead to resource exhaustion or internal state corruption. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause either a complete denial of service condition or repeatedly trigger crashes that force the MySQL server into a non-functional state. The attack requires only low privileged access, meaning that even users with minimal database permissions can potentially compromise server availability. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations. The specific mechanisms through which InnoDB becomes vulnerable involve internal data structures or buffer management that fail to properly validate or handle certain input parameters during database operations, creating conditions that lead to system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-2784 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially cause significant business interruptions in environments where MySQL serves as a critical backend component. Organizations relying on MySQL for transaction processing, user authentication, or data storage may experience complete service outages that can affect multiple applications simultaneously. The vulnerability's ability to cause frequent repeatable crashes means that even brief attacks can result in sustained service degradation, requiring system administrators to implement emergency response procedures. The lack of user interaction requirements and the low privilege nature of the attack mean that this vulnerability can be exploited by automated tools or scripts, increasing both the frequency and likelihood of successful exploitation attempts. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK framework concepts related to privilege escalation and denial of service attacks, where the vulnerability represents a path to system compromise through availability disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2784 primarily focus on immediate patching and version updates to address the underlying InnoDB storage engine flaw. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MySQL versions that have been patched against this vulnerability, specifically versions 5.6.40 and later, or 5.7.22 and later, which contain the necessary fixes. Network-level protections including firewall rules and access control lists should be implemented to restrict unnecessary network access to MySQL ports, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Database administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of database connection attempts or resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 119 indicates improper access to memory, suggesting that the fix likely involves strengthening input validation and memory management within the InnoDB engine to prevent the specific conditions that lead to the crash states. Additionally, implementing database connection pooling and proper resource limiting can help mitigate the impact of successful attacks by preventing complete system exhaustion. Organizations should also maintain comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to ensure rapid restoration of services in case of successful exploitation.