CVE-2018-3282 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Storage Engines). Supported versions that are affected are 5.5.61 and prior, 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-2018-3282 resides within the MySQL Server storage engines component, specifically affecting multiple version ranges including 5.5.61 and earlier, 5.6.41 and earlier, 5.7.23 and earlier, and 8.0.12 and earlier releases. This issue represents a significant availability threat that can be exploited by attackers with high privileges and network access through various protocols. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that the attack vector requires minimal sophistication while still maintaining the potential for severe impact on system operations. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 4.9, which reflects moderate severity with a strong focus on availability impacts as indicated by the high availability impact rating of eight points.
The technical flaw manifests as a condition within the storage engine subsystem that can be triggered by specific database operations, leading to a complete denial of service scenario. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability causes the MySQL Server to either hang indefinitely or experience frequently repeatable crashes, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. This behavior aligns with the attack pattern documented in the ATT&CK framework under the service stop technique, where adversaries target critical system components to disrupt operations. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can cause complete system unavailability, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-3282 extends far beyond immediate service disruption, potentially affecting entire business processes that depend on database availability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face the risk of extended downtime, data access interruptions, and potential revenue loss during service outages. The vulnerability's requirement for high privileged access suggests that it may be exploited by insider threats or attackers who have already gained administrative credentials, making it particularly concerning for environments with weak privilege controls. The availability impact rating of eight points indicates that even a single successful exploitation can cause significant disruption to database operations, potentially affecting multiple applications and services that rely on the affected database server.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patching and version upgrades to unaffected MySQL releases. Organizations should prioritize updating their MySQL installations to versions beyond the affected ranges, particularly considering that the vulnerability affects multiple major version lines including 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, and 8.0. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, limiting the attack surface for potential exploitation. Security teams should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability's effects are readily observable through system performance metrics and crash logs. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory corruption issues, and represents a classic example of how storage engine flaws can lead to complete system availability compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a service disruption technique, emphasizing the importance of maintaining database server availability and implementing proper access controls to prevent unauthorized exploitation.