CVE-2018-2839 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DML). Supported versions that are affected are 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. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/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-2018-2839 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: DML subcomponent, affecting MySQL versions 5.7.21 and earlier. This represents a significant security weakness that exploits the fundamental data manipulation language processing capabilities of the database server. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with relatively low technical sophistication can leverage this flaw, particularly when they possess high-privilege network access to the target system. The attack vector through multiple protocols demonstrates the broad accessibility of this vulnerability across various network communication channels that MySQL supports.
The technical flaw manifests in a way that allows authenticated attackers with elevated privileges to manipulate the server's processing of data manipulation language commands, ultimately leading to a denial of service condition. This occurs through a specific code path within the DML processing module where insufficient input validation or improper state management allows maliciously crafted queries to trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe as it can cause complete system crashes or indefinite hangs that render the database server completely unavailable to legitimate users and applications. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.9 reflects the availability impact, indicating that while the attack requires elevated privileges, the consequences are substantial in terms of service disruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure reliability. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability creates a condition where MySQL Server becomes unresponsive, forcing database administrators to manually restart services and potentially resulting in data loss or transaction rollbacks. The repeated crash capability means that even a single exploitation can cause ongoing service degradation rather than a one-time disruption. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical business operations face significant risk of operational downtime, revenue loss, and potential customer impact. The high privilege requirement suggests that this vulnerability is more likely to be exploited by insiders or attackers who have already gained administrative access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where access controls are not properly enforced.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in data manipulation operations, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the official Oracle MySQL patches, enforcing strict network access controls, and implementing comprehensive monitoring for unusual database activity patterns. The recommended approach involves upgrading to MySQL version 5.7.22 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed, combined with network segmentation to limit access to database servers and regular security audits to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring solutions can help identify anomalous query patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.