CVE-2018-3277 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-2018-3277 resides within the InnoDB storage engine of Oracle MySQL servers, representing a critical 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 operates at the core database engine level where InnoDB manages transactional operations and data storage, making it particularly dangerous for systems relying heavily on database availability. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness without requiring extensive technical expertise or specialized tools, significantly broadening the potential attack surface.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw in how InnoDB processes certain database operations that can trigger system instability leading to complete denial of service conditions. When exploited, the vulnerability allows an attacker to cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. This behavior stems from improper handling of specific internal data structures or transaction states within the InnoDB engine, where malformed input or specific operational sequences can cause the storage engine to enter an unrecoverable state. The attack vector requires network access and assumes the attacker already possesses high-privilege credentials, typically indicating either insider threat scenarios or compromised administrative accounts.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses severe consequences for database-dependent applications and services that require continuous availability. Organizations relying on MySQL for mission-critical operations face potential business disruption when this vulnerability is successfully exploited, as the complete denial of service can affect multiple applications simultaneously. The availability impact score of 4.9 on the CVSS scale reflects the severity of the disruption potential, where even a single successful exploitation can bring down an entire database service. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database uptime is critical for business operations, including financial services, healthcare systems, and e-commerce platforms where database availability directly impacts revenue and customer satisfaction.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2018-3277 primarily involves applying the relevant security patches released by Oracle as part of their regular update cycle. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically moving beyond the affected version ranges mentioned in the CVE description. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of database servers to untrusted networks while maintaining strict privilege controls to prevent unauthorized access. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database service disruption that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and data handling, and falls under ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with this type of exploitation attempt, ensuring comprehensive protection against both current and emerging threats targeting database infrastructure components.