CVE-2018-2787 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 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 as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-2787 resides within the InnoDB storage engine of Oracle MySQL servers, representing a critical security weakness that affects multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.6.39 and earlier, as well as MySQL 5.7.21 and prior versions. This flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs during specific database operations within the InnoDB component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the system. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized control over the database server, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is compromised or where attackers have elevated privileges within the network.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of certain data structures, specifically during operations that involve heap memory allocation and manipulation. When legitimate database operations trigger the vulnerable code path, the system fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be systematically exploited by attackers. This flaw operates through multiple network protocols, including TCP/IP connections to the MySQL server, allowing attackers to remotely target affected systems without requiring physical access or additional authentication mechanisms beyond their existing high-privilege network access. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data corruption, as successful exploitation can result in complete denial of service conditions where the MySQL server becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, alongside unauthorized modification of database contents through unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations that compromise data integrity.
The operational consequences of CVE-2018-2787 present significant risks to database security and availability, particularly in enterprise environments where MySQL servers handle critical business data. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential complete system outages that can disrupt business operations, alongside data integrity compromises that may affect audit trails, financial records, or customer information. The CVSS 3.0 score of 5.5 reflects the balanced impact across integrity and availability domains, where attackers can both cause system crashes and modify data without detection. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflows, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1070.004 for data manipulation and T1499.004 for network disruption. The attack vector requires minimal complexity for exploitation, as attackers only need existing high-privilege network access rather than additional authentication, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet patched their MySQL installations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Oracle security patches that address the buffer overflow conditions within the InnoDB storage engine. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MySQL versions that have been patched against this vulnerability, specifically versions 5.6.40, 5.7.22, and later releases. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized network segments can access MySQL server ports and that administrative privileges are strictly controlled through principle of least privilege. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual database access patterns or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any other potentially unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing robust database security practices that include regular monitoring, access control enforcement, and timely vulnerability remediation to prevent exploitation of known security weaknesses.