CVE-2019-2535 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Options). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.13 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with logon to the infrastructure where MySQL Server executes 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 4.1 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2535 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL, specifically within the Server: Options subcomponent. This issue affects MySQL versions 8.0.13 and earlier, representing a significant concern for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL deployments. The vulnerability classification as a difficult-to-exploit flaw indicates that while the attack vector is not trivial, it remains a serious threat when successfully executed. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 4.1, with a vector of AV:L/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, which reflects the specific characteristics of the threat landscape.
The technical flaw manifests as a condition that allows a high-privileged attacker who already possesses logon credentials to the infrastructure hosting the MySQL Server to compromise the database service. This prerequisite of having existing access to the system infrastructure makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it operates within the context of an already compromised environment. The attack requires the attacker to have high privileges, which aligns with the CVSS metric of PR:H, indicating that the attacker must have significant access rights to the system. The availability impact is severe, with successful exploitation leading to complete denial of service conditions where the MySQL Server experiences hangs or frequent crashes that can be repeatedly triggered.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can result in complete system unavailability for database operations. When a MySQL Server experiences repeated crashes or hangs, it can effectively shut down database services, preventing legitimate users and applications from accessing critical data. This type of vulnerability represents a significant concern for organizations relying on MySQL for business-critical applications, as it can lead to extended downtime and potential data access issues. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would likely fall within categories related to resource management failures or availability violations, though specific CWE identification requires detailed technical analysis of the underlying code flaw.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK tactics related to privilege escalation and denial of service operations, as attackers with existing system access can leverage this flaw to escalate their control over database services. The attack complexity requirement of high (AC:H) suggests that while the vulnerability is not trivial to exploit, it represents a realistic threat vector for determined attackers who have already established a foothold. Organizations should consider implementing additional security controls and monitoring mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where MySQL servers are accessible to privileged users. The availability impact score of A:H indicates that even a single successful exploitation attempt can result in complete service disruption, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for mission-critical database deployments.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL versions, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of compromised accounts. Regular security assessments and monitoring for unusual database service behavior can help detect exploitation attempts before they result in complete service disruption. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous patterns consistent with denial of service attacks against database services. The vulnerability's characteristics suggest that preventive measures should include regular security updates, privileged access monitoring, and comprehensive incident response procedures specifically tailored to database service disruptions.