CVE-2019-2537 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: DDL). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.42 and prior, 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-2019-2537 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: DDL subcomponent, representing a critical availability threat that affects multiple version lines of Oracle MySQL. This flaw manifests in the database server's handling of Data Definition Language operations, which are fundamental commands used to define and modify database structures such as tables, indexes, and schemas. The affected versions include MySQL 5.6.42 and earlier, 5.7.24 and earlier, and 8.0.13 and earlier, indicating this vulnerability spans across major MySQL release branches and has persisted for considerable time. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable means that attackers with relatively high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the target MySQL server infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain DDL operations that can trigger memory corruption or resource exhaustion conditions within the MySQL server process. When a maliciously crafted DDL statement is executed against an affected MySQL instance, it can cause the server to enter a state where it becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users. The attack vector requires network access and assumes the attacker has already gained high-privilege access to the database system, which aligns with the CVSS scoring that indicates a high privilege requirement. The vulnerability's impact is categorized as a complete denial of service, where the MySQL server experiences either a hang condition or frequent crashes that prevent normal database operations from proceeding.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to database availability and business continuity, particularly in environments where MySQL serves as a critical backend component for applications and services. The complete DOS condition can result in extended downtime for applications that depend on the affected database, potentially causing cascading failures throughout dependent systems and services. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face the risk of service disruption that could impact customer-facing applications, data processing workflows, and administrative operations that rely on database availability. The vulnerability's presence across multiple MySQL versions means that organizations must conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all affected systems and implement appropriate remediation measures.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption as this vulnerability could be exploited as part of broader attack campaigns targeting database infrastructure. Attackers might use this weakness to establish persistent denial of service conditions that can mask other malicious activities or to disrupt business operations during critical periods. The CVSS vector analysis reveals that while the attack complexity is low and no user interaction is required, the vulnerability demands high privileges, suggesting that it may be leveraged by insiders or attackers who have already compromised database access credentials. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises and assess whether their current security controls adequately protect against privilege escalation scenarios that could lead to exploitation of this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2537 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to database systems. Monitoring solutions should be enhanced to detect unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, including monitoring for repeated connection failures or abnormal resource utilization. The vulnerability's mapping to CWE-121 and CWE-122 categories indicates it involves buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption issues that are commonly addressed through proper input validation and resource management practices. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring tools that can help detect and alert on potentially malicious DDL operations that could trigger the vulnerability conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, which emphasizes the importance of protecting database infrastructure from availability-focused attacks that can severely impact operational capabilities and business continuity.