CVE-2019-2695 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 low 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 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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-2019-2695 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL, specifically within the Server: Optimizer subcomponent. This flaw affects MySQL versions 8.0.15 and earlier, representing a significant security concern for database administrators and system operators. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can potentially compromise affected systems. The attack vector leverages multiple network protocols, making the exploitation surface broader and more accessible to threat actors. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of database security in enterprise environments where MySQL serves as a foundational component for numerous applications and services.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from issues within the query optimizer module of MySQL Server, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. When processing certain types of queries, the optimizer fails to properly validate or handle specific input parameters, leading to memory corruption or improper resource management. This flaw allows an attacker to craft malicious queries that, when executed by the MySQL server, trigger unexpected behavior in the optimizer component. The vulnerability's impact manifests as a complete denial of service condition where the MySQL Server becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects the availability impact severity, as the primary consequence is the complete disruption of database services rather than data compromise or privilege escalation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL 8.0.15 or earlier versions for their database operations. The low privilege requirement for exploitation means that even users with minimal database permissions can potentially disrupt critical services, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database access controls may not be strictly enforced. The complete DOS condition can have cascading effects throughout an organization's IT infrastructure, as many applications depend on database connectivity for their operation. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability and reliability of database services, potentially causing significant business disruption and requiring immediate attention from security teams. Organizations may experience extended downtime during incident response and remediation activities, while also facing potential compliance and regulatory implications due to service disruption.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2019-2695 primarily involves upgrading to MySQL version 8.0.16 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the optimizer-related vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize this upgrade process, particularly for critical database servers and those handling sensitive information. Additionally, implementing network-level controls such as firewall rules to restrict access to MySQL ports can provide temporary protection while upgrades are being deployed. Monitoring and logging of database activities should be enhanced to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may leave detectable traces in system logs. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can identify and alert on anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which covers stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a potential entry point for attackers following ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service operations. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the database infrastructure.