CVE-2018-2819 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.59 and prior, 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 described in CVE-2018-2819 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL's InnoDB storage engine, specifically targeting versions prior to the patched releases. This flaw exists within the core database management system that millions of organizations rely upon for critical data operations, making it particularly concerning from a security operations perspective. The vulnerability affects MySQL Server versions 5.5.59 and earlier, 5.6.39 and earlier, and 5.7.21 and earlier, encompassing a significant portion of the MySQL ecosystem that was widely deployed in enterprise environments. The attack vector is particularly dangerous as it requires only low privilege access and can be executed through multiple network protocols, meaning that even users with minimal database permissions could potentially exploit this weakness.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain database operations within the InnoDB storage engine, which leads to a denial of service condition that can cause complete system crashes or frequent hangs. This type of flaw typically arises from inadequate input validation or memory management issues within the database engine's core processing logic. When exploited, the vulnerability allows an attacker to trigger a condition that forces the MySQL server process to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. The specific mechanisms involve manipulation of database operations that cause the InnoDB engine to enter an inconsistent state, leading to the crash behavior described in the vulnerability assessment.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple service disruption, as database availability is fundamental to business operations across virtually all industries. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical applications face potential downtime that can result in significant financial losses, data access interruptions, and operational delays. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.5 indicates a moderate to high severity threat that can be exploited with minimal prerequisites, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt services. The availability impact is rated as high (A:H) because successful exploitation can cause complete denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore database functionality. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database uptime is critical, such as financial services, healthcare systems, e-commerce platforms, and any organization where database access is essential for business continuity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-2819 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to the database service, reducing the attack surface available to potential attackers. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including monitoring for process crashes or unexpected service restarts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and CWE-121 for buffer overflow conditions, indicating the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database configurations and ensure that all systems maintain current security postures. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and alerting systems can help detect exploitation attempts before they cause significant damage to service availability.