CVE-2018-3278 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: RBR). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.41 and prior, 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).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-3278 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically affecting the Row-Based Replication (RBR) functionality. This issue impacts multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.6.41 and earlier, 5.7.23 and earlier, and 8.0.12 and earlier versions. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a remote code execution threat that can be exploited by attackers with high privileges and network access through various protocols. The flaw specifically targets the replication mechanism that processes row-based changes during database synchronization operations, creating a critical security gap that could be leveraged for significant system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain data structures within the MySQL server's replication subsystem. When processing specific row-based replication events, the server fails to properly validate input parameters, leading to potential memory corruption conditions. This flaw operates at the core level of database replication, where the server processes changes from master to slave databases. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to possess elevated privileges within the MySQL environment and network access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where administrative access is compromised or where network segmentation is insufficient.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3278 manifests as a complete denial of service condition that can cause the MySQL server to either hang indefinitely or experience frequent crashes. This availability impact represents a critical threat to database operations since it can completely disable database services, disrupting business operations and potentially causing significant data access issues. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 4.9 indicates a moderate to high severity level, with the availability impact being the primary concern. Organizations relying on MySQL replication for data synchronization, backup operations, or high availability configurations face substantial risk from this vulnerability, as it can render their database infrastructure completely non-functional.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions. Organizations should prioritize updating their MySQL servers to versions that contain the fix for this replication issue, typically found in MySQL 5.6.42, 5.7.24, and 8.0.13 or later. Additionally, network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to restrict unnecessary network access to MySQL servers, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in memory management, and represents a specific implementation weakness in the replication subsystem that could be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through database services. Regular monitoring of database server processes and implementation of intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed audit logs of replication activities provides essential forensic capabilities for incident response.