CVE-2018-3071 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Audit Log). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.22 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).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3071 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's Audit Log component, specifically affecting versions 5.7.22 and earlier. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it operates within the database server's auditing infrastructure, which is designed to monitor and record database activities for compliance and security purposes. The audit log functionality is intended to provide administrators with visibility into database operations, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could be exploited to disrupt the very security mechanisms meant to protect the system. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness without requiring complex attack vectors or extensive reconnaissance.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw in how MySQL Server processes audit log operations, specifically in the handling of certain log entries that can trigger a denial of service condition. When exploited, this vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker to send malformed or specially crafted audit log data that causes the MySQL Server process to hang or crash repeatedly. The mechanism behind this exploit typically involves manipulating audit log parameters or triggering specific audit events that, when processed by the vulnerable server, result in resource exhaustion or memory corruption that leads to system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-400, representing unchecked resource consumption. The attack surface is accessible through multiple network protocols, including TCP/IP connections to the MySQL service port, making it particularly challenging to defend against as it can be triggered from various attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3071 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it fundamentally compromises the availability of the MySQL database server. Successful exploitation can lead to complete denial of service conditions where database services become unavailable to legitimate users, potentially affecting business operations and data accessibility. The CVSS 3.0 score of 4.9 indicates a moderate to high severity impact, with the availability impact rated as high (A:H) due to the potential for complete system crashes. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical database operations face significant risk, as database downtime can result in substantial financial losses and compliance violations. The vulnerability affects systems where audit logging is enabled, which is common in enterprise environments where regulatory compliance requires detailed logging of database activities. This makes the impact particularly severe in industries such as finance, healthcare, and government sectors where database availability is mission-critical.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to version 5.7.23 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of MySQL services to only trusted networks and users. The principle of least privilege should be enforced, ensuring that only necessary accounts have high privileges required to exploit this vulnerability. Network monitoring solutions should be configured to detect unusual patterns in audit log processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling audit logging temporarily if the vulnerability cannot be patched immediately, though this approach reduces security monitoring capabilities. The mitigation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which focuses on network denial of service attacks, and T1070, covering indicator removal on host. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify other potential weaknesses in database infrastructure, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all database components. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure rapid detection and remediation of similar vulnerabilities in their database environments.