CVE-2018-3283 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Logging). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.23 and prior and 8.0.12 and prior. Difficult to exploit 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 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/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-2018-3283 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Logging subcomponent of Oracle MySQL databases. This security flaw affects multiple versions including all 5.7.x releases up to 5.7.23 and 8.0.x releases up to 8.0.12, representing a significant portion of MySQL server implementations that were in active use during the time of discovery. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector is not trivial, it remains a serious concern for database administrators managing MySQL installations. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability with a base score of 4.4, which falls into the medium severity category, though the availability impact assessment of 'H' (high) suggests that successful exploitation could lead to complete denial of service conditions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of logging operations within the MySQL server architecture, creating a condition where an attacker with high privileges and network access can manipulate the logging subsystem to trigger system instability. The attack requires an attacker to possess elevated privileges, typically administrative or root-level access to the MySQL server, which limits the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely. The multiple protocol access vectors indicate that the vulnerability can be exploited through various network communication channels that MySQL supports, making it more challenging to defend against completely. The specific impact involves the ability to cause either a hang condition or a frequently repeatable crash that results in complete denial of service for the MySQL server instance.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple availability disruption, as database servers experiencing complete denial of service can have cascading effects throughout enterprise infrastructure. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical applications face potential business disruption when their database services become unavailable due to this vulnerability. The high privilege requirement does not make the vulnerability any less dangerous, as attackers who have already gained administrative access to MySQL systems can leverage this flaw to maximize their impact. This scenario aligns with ATT&CK framework concept T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and CWE-121 which addresses buffer overflow conditions that can lead to system instability. The vulnerability's potential for causing repeated crashes makes it particularly concerning for environments requiring high availability and continuous operation, where even brief service interruptions can result in significant financial and operational losses.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the latest security patches provided by Oracle for affected MySQL versions, ensuring that all systems are updated to versions beyond the vulnerable releases mentioned in the CVE. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit the attack surface, particularly by restricting network access to MySQL servers to only necessary systems and applications. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual logging patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The principle of least privilege should be enforced rigorously, ensuring that database users and applications have only the minimum necessary permissions to perform their functions. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any other potential weaknesses in MySQL server configurations that could be exploited in conjunction with this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious network traffic patterns associated with database access and logging operations.