CVE-2018-3195 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DDL). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.12 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 as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3195 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: DDL subcomponent, affecting versions 8.0.12 and earlier. This represents a significant security weakness that undermines the integrity and availability of database systems relying on Oracle MySQL. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level within the database management system, targeting the Data Definition Language processing capabilities that govern how database structures are created, modified, and managed.
The technical flaw manifests as an insufficient validation mechanism within the DDL processing subsystem of MySQL Server, allowing authenticated attackers with high privileges to exploit a weakness that can lead to system instability and unauthorized data manipulation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to possess elevated privileges within the MySQL environment, typically corresponding to administrative or high-privilege user accounts. This access requirement aligns with the CVSS score's privilege requirement assessment, indicating that the attack vector is not trivially accessible to all users but rather requires legitimate access to the system.
From an operational impact perspective, successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete denial of service conditions where the MySQL Server becomes unresponsive or repeatedly crashes, effectively rendering database services unavailable to legitimate users and applications. Additionally, the attack can enable unauthorized modification of database content through update, insert, or delete operations against specific portions of the database accessible to the compromised account. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system places this vulnerability at 5.5 severity, reflecting the combination of integrity impact (I:L) and availability impact (A:H) as measured against the base score.
The vulnerability's exposure through multiple network protocols indicates that attackers can leverage various communication channels to exploit the weakness, increasing the attack surface and making the system more susceptible to compromise. This characteristic aligns with the CVSS vector's network accessibility assessment (AV:N) and low attack complexity (AC:L), suggesting that once an attacker has high-privilege access, the exploitation process is relatively straightforward. Organizations implementing MySQL Server environments must recognize that this vulnerability represents a critical risk to database integrity and system availability, particularly in environments where administrative privileges are widely distributed or where privilege escalation mechanisms exist.
Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability directly relates to CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer," and potentially CWE-20, "Improper Input Validation," as the root cause involves inadequate validation of data definition language operations. The attack pattern follows typical MITRE ATT&CK framework techniques including T1059 for command and control through database manipulation and T1499 for endpoint denial of service. Organizations should implement immediate patch management protocols, restrict administrative privileges to essential personnel only, and deploy comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized elevation of privileges that could lead to system compromise.