CVE-2019-2532 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Security: Privileges). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.24 and prior and 8.0.13 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 • 06/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2532 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's security privilege subsystem, specifically affecting versions 5.7.24 and earlier, as well as 8.0.13 and prior. This flaw represents a critical availability risk that can be exploited by attackers with high privileges and network access through multiple protocols. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that sophisticated attack techniques are not required, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged accounts exist. The affected subsystem operates under CWE-284 which addresses improper access control, specifically within the context of privilege management where unauthorized users might gain elevated rights. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of database services, as it allows for complete denial of service conditions that can result in system hangs or frequent crashes.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a flaw in how MySQL Server processes certain privilege operations, particularly when handling specific user authentication and authorization sequences. Attackers with high privileged access can manipulate these processes to trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions that lead to system instability. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, where the attacker can cause complete system downtime through repeated exploitation. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1499 which encompasses network denial of service attacks, and more specifically relates to T1070 which covers indicator removal on host systems. The vulnerability's exploitation path requires network connectivity and existing high privileges, making it particularly concerning for environments where administrative accounts might be compromised or where insufficient privilege separation exists.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2532 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database infrastructures, especially in mission-critical applications where MySQL servers handle sensitive data operations. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of service interruptions that could result in data unavailability, business disruption, and potential compliance violations. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeated crashes makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited continuously to maintain system instability, effectively creating a persistent denial of service condition. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a gap in the principle of least privilege, where the system fails to properly validate privilege operations that could lead to unauthorized resource consumption. The impact is particularly severe in environments where MySQL servers are critical to business operations, as the availability compromise can cascade into broader system failures and data access issues. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and privilege monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to versions that have addressed the privilege handling flaw. System administrators should also implement strict network access controls to limit exposure of MySQL services to trusted networks only, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring for unusual privilege operations and authentication patterns can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in system instability. Additionally, organizations should review and strengthen their privilege management policies to ensure that administrative accounts are properly secured and that least privilege principles are enforced across all database operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and the need for comprehensive security testing of privilege management subsystems to prevent similar issues from arising in future releases.