CVE-2019-2681 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.15 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 • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2681 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Optimizer subcomponent, affecting MySQL versions 8.0.15 and earlier. This represents a significant security flaw that demonstrates the critical nature of database optimization engines in modern enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal technical expertise can leverage this weakness, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is paramount for business operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling within the query optimizer module of MySQL Server, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. When an attacker with high privileges accesses the system through multiple network protocols, they can manipulate specific query patterns that trigger a flaw in the optimizer's processing logic. This flaw manifests as a condition where the optimizer fails to properly manage memory allocation or execution flow during complex query processing, leading to system instability.
From an operational perspective, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to encompass complete system availability disruption. Successful exploitation results in either a hang condition where the MySQL server becomes unresponsive or frequent crashes that create a repeated denial of service scenario. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 4.9 with a high availability impact (A:H) reflects the severity of this disruption, as database servers experiencing such instability can render entire applications dependent on them completely non-functional. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on MySQL 8.0.15 or earlier versions where database availability is critical for business operations.
The attack vector analysis reveals that this vulnerability requires an attacker with high privileges and network access, indicating that it typically operates within environments where internal security boundaries have been compromised or where legitimate administrative access has been misused. This aligns with the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics, as attackers would need to establish a foothold within the network before exploiting this specific optimizer flaw. The fact that it affects multiple protocols suggests that the vulnerability is not protocol-specific, making it more challenging to defend against through network segmentation alone.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to address this vulnerability, as the remediation process is straightforward through official Oracle updates. Additionally, implementing network monitoring solutions that can detect unusual query patterns or resource consumption spikes may provide early warning of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 119 (Improper Access to Memory) indicates that memory safety issues in the optimizer code contributed to the vulnerability, highlighting the importance of memory management in database engine components. Security teams should also consider implementing database access controls and monitoring administrative activities to detect potential misuse of high privilege accounts that could be leveraged for exploitation.