CVE-2018-3067 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Replication). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.11 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).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3067 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Replication subcomponent of Oracle MySQL. This flaw affects all versions up to and including 8.0.11, representing a significant security concern for database administrators and system operators who rely on MySQL for critical data operations. The vulnerability operates at a fundamental level within the replication mechanism that MySQL employs to synchronize data across multiple server instances, making it particularly dangerous as it can compromise the integrity and availability of distributed database environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of replication events within the MySQL server architecture, specifically when processing certain replication protocols. Attackers with high privileged access and network connectivity can exploit this weakness to trigger a denial of service condition that results in complete server crashes or persistent hangs. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible, meaning that skilled attackers with appropriate privileges can leverage this flaw without requiring extensive technical expertise or specialized tools. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns a base score of 4.9, which reflects the moderate severity level, with the availability impact component rated at high, indicating that successful exploitation can completely disrupt database services and render them inaccessible to legitimate users.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database infrastructures that rely on replication for high availability and data consistency. The ability to cause frequent repeatable crashes means that even a single exploitation attempt can render the database server unusable for extended periods, leading to significant business disruption and potential data loss. Organizations running MySQL versions prior to 8.0.12 face particular risk as they cannot benefit from the security patches and fixes that address this specific replication flaw. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where MySQL replication is actively used for disaster recovery, load balancing, or data distribution purposes, as the compromise of one server in a replication chain can cascade to affect multiple systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper access to memory locations, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to MySQL version 8.0.12 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this replication vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit privileged network access to MySQL servers, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual replication activity or service disruptions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other unpatched systems within the database infrastructure, as this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged as a stepping stone for more extensive attacks on the broader network environment.