CVE-2018-3066 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Options). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.60 and prior, 5.6.40 and prior and 5.7.22 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.3 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3066 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server that affects multiple version ranges including 5.5.60 and earlier, 5.6.40 and earlier, and 5.7.22 and earlier releases. This flaw resides within the Server: Options subcomponent of the MySQL Server component, specifically manifesting as a difficulty in exploitation that requires an attacker to possess high privileges and network access through various protocols to successfully compromise the system. The vulnerability's classification as a low-severity issue according to CVSS 3.0 scoring system with a base score of 3.3 reflects its limited impact potential, yet it remains concerning due to its accessibility to privileged users with network connectivity. The attack vector requires network access with high privileges and does not require user interaction, making it potentially exploitable by attackers who have already established some level of access to the network infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability allows for unauthorized modifications to database content through update, insert, or delete operations on specific portions of accessible data within the MySQL Server environment. Additionally, attackers can achieve unauthorized read access to a subset of the data that the server can access, creating potential exposure for sensitive information within the database system. This dual impact on both confidentiality and integrity aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms, and represents a clear violation of the principle of least privilege that should govern database access controls. The vulnerability's impact scope extends to data manipulation and unauthorized data reading capabilities, which can compromise the integrity of database operations and expose sensitive information to unauthorized parties.
The operational implications of CVE-2018-3066 extend beyond simple data corruption or theft, as it can enable attackers to subtly compromise database integrity over time through incremental unauthorized modifications. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database administrators or privileged users maintain network access to MySQL servers, creating potential attack paths for insider threats or compromised accounts. Organizations using affected MySQL versions face risks of data integrity violations and potential information disclosure that could impact business operations, regulatory compliance, and customer trust. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to privilege escalation techniques and credential access patterns, as attackers must first establish high-privilege access before exploiting this specific weakness.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched MySQL releases that address the specific flaw in the Server: Options component. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MySQL versions beyond the affected ranges, specifically 5.5.61, 5.6.41, and 5.7.23 or later, as these releases contain the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and access control measures should be reinforced to limit unnecessary network access to MySQL servers, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Database administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring of database access patterns and unauthorized modifications to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate any other potential access control weaknesses within their database environments, ensuring that the principle of least privilege is properly enforced across all database user accounts and access mechanisms.