CVE-2018-3200 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.23 and prior and 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. 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 • 05/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3200 resides within the InnoDB storage engine of Oracle MySQL server implementations, representing a significant availability threat that affects multiple version ranges including 5.7.23 and earlier releases, as well as 8.0.12 and prior versions. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be exploited by attackers with high privileges and network access through various protocols, making it particularly concerning for production environments where database availability is critical. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires minimal complexity for successful exploitation, potentially allowing malicious actors to disrupt database operations with relatively simple techniques.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a flaw in how InnoDB handles specific database operations that can lead to complete system crashes or indefinite hangs within the MySQL server process. This behavior directly maps to the availability impact category as defined by CVSS 3.0 scoring system, where the base score of 4.9 reflects the severity of potential disruption. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that it likely involves memory management issues, resource exhaustion, or improper error handling within the InnoDB storage engine that processes database transactions and operations. The attack requires an attacker with high privileges, indicating that the flaw may be triggered through legitimate administrative operations or database connection handling rather than simple user-level access.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3200 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can result in complete system unavailability that affects business continuity and data access. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential downtime that could impact applications dependent on database services, potentially causing cascading failures throughout their IT infrastructure. The vulnerability's ability to cause frequently repeatable crashes means that a single exploitation attempt could lead to sustained service disruption rather than a one-time incident. This characteristic aligns with attack patterns commonly documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and denial of service categories, where attackers leverage database server weaknesses to compromise system availability.
Security practitioners should prioritize patch management for this vulnerability, particularly given its availability impact and the fact that it affects multiple major MySQL versions. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of MySQL server that address the InnoDB storage engine flaw, while organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to high-privilege accounts. Monitoring for unusual database behavior, connection patterns, or performance degradation can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would likely fall within categories related to resource management or error handling within database systems, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and proper exception handling in database engine components. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for protocol anomalies consistent with this type of denial of service attack pattern.