CVE-2018-3258 in MySQL Connectors
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Connectors component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Connector/J). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.12 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Connectors. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of MySQL Connectors. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.8 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3258 resides within Oracle MySQL Connectors, specifically affecting the Connector/J subcomponent that facilitates Java applications' connectivity to MySQL databases. This flaw manifests in versions 8.0.12 and earlier, representing a critical security weakness that undermines the integrity of database communication infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to gain significant control over affected systems. The attack vector operates through multiple network protocols, expanding the potential attack surface and making remediation more challenging for system administrators.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and authentication mechanisms within the MySQL Connector/J implementation. When Java applications establish connections to MySQL databases through this connector, the flaw allows malicious actors to manipulate connection parameters and authentication flows. This weakness directly maps to CWE-287, which addresses improper authentication issues in software components, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078.004 for valid accounts and T1566 for phishing with social engineering. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data access, as successful exploitation can result in complete compromise of the MySQL Connectors, potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the database environment.
The operational consequences of this vulnerability are severe and multifaceted, affecting all three pillars of information security: confidentiality, integrity, and availability. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain full control over the MySQL Connectors, potentially leading to unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, and modification of critical business information. The high CVSS score of 8.8 reflects the comprehensive impact across all security dimensions, with high scores for confidentiality, integrity, and availability. Organizations using affected versions face significant risk of data breaches, service disruption, and potential regulatory compliance violations. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning for environments where MySQL Connectors serve as critical components in enterprise applications, web services, and data processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-3258 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected MySQL Connector/J installations to version 8.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to restrict access to MySQL services to trusted hosts only, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Additionally, organizations should enforce strong authentication practices including the use of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication where possible, and regular credential rotation. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual connection patterns or authentication attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include comprehensive vulnerability scanning of all systems using affected components and implementation of network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation activities. Security teams should also review and update their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this vulnerability.