CVE-2018-3073 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.11 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 • 04/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3073 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Optimizer subcomponent, affecting versions 8.0.11 and earlier. This designation places the flaw squarely within the realm of database management system security where optimization routines can become attack vectors. The vulnerability represents a critical concern for database administrators and security professionals who must protect enterprise data infrastructure from potential disruption. The affected MySQL version range indicates this was a significant issue that required immediate attention from organizations relying on Oracle's database platform for their operational continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw within the query optimizer module responsible for processing database requests. When subjected to specific malformed inputs or complex query structures, the optimizer component fails to properly handle certain conditions leading to system instability. This particular weakness allows for a denial of service scenario where an attacker with low privilege levels and network access can trigger repeated crashes or system hangs within the MySQL server process. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible, meaning that the attack surface requires minimal technical expertise to execute successfully. The attack vector utilizes multiple network protocols, amplifying the potential impact across various network environments where MySQL services operate.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3073 extends beyond simple service interruption to encompass complete system unavailability for database operations. The CVSS 3.0 score of 6.5 reflects the high availability impact with a base score of 6.5, indicating that successful exploitation results in a complete denial of service condition. Organizations experiencing this vulnerability may face significant downtime affecting business operations, data access, and application functionality that depends on MySQL services. The vulnerability's potential for causing frequent repeatable crashes means that even brief attacks can result in sustained service disruption, making it particularly dangerous for mission-critical systems where database availability is paramount. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific implementation within the optimizer suggests more complex memory management issues.
The security implications of this vulnerability are particularly concerning given that it requires only low privileged access and network connectivity to exploit. This characteristic places the risk squarely within the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and execution categories, where attackers can leverage existing network access to gain further control over database systems. The lack of user interaction requirements and the minimal privilege needed for exploitation make this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt database services. Organizations implementing security controls must consider this vulnerability as part of their broader database security posture, particularly in environments where network segmentation is insufficient to prevent unauthorized access to database services. The vulnerability's classification as a complete DOS condition indicates that it affects the fundamental availability of database resources, potentially causing cascading effects throughout dependent applications and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3073 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to 8.0.12 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed. Network-level controls including firewall rules and access control lists should be implemented to restrict unnecessary network access to MySQL services, particularly when the database is not required for external connectivity. Database administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual patterns of database connection attempts or query processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that regular database maintenance and security updates should be part of routine operational procedures, with particular attention to optimizer-related code changes and their potential impacts on system stability. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected MySQL versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the database services involved.