CVE-2019-2730 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 5.6.44 and prior and 5.7.18 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 update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 2.7 (Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2730 resides within Oracle MySQL Server's security privilege implementation, specifically affecting versions 5.6.44 and earlier, as well as 5.7.18 and prior. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in the database management system's access control mechanisms, where an attacker with high privileges and network connectivity can exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to database operations. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-284 which focuses on improper access control, making it particularly concerning for database environments where data integrity is paramount. The CVSS 3.0 scoring system rates this vulnerability as easily exploitable with a base score of 2.7, indicating a low complexity attack vector that requires only high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate privilege validation within the MySQL Server's security framework, allowing attackers who already possess high-level privileges to bypass normal access controls and perform unauthorized data modifications. This flaw operates at the server level where privilege checks are insufficiently enforced, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate database content through update, insert, or delete operations on accessible data. The vulnerability's impact is specifically targeted at data integrity rather than confidentiality or availability, as evidenced by the CVSS vector indicating integrity impact (I:L) while maintaining low confidentiality (C:N) and no availability (A:N) effects. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can compromise data integrity by modifying existing records or introducing malicious data into the database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2730 extends beyond simple data corruption, potentially enabling attackers to manipulate critical business data, alter financial records, modify user credentials, or compromise sensitive information stored within the MySQL database. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations relying on MySQL for mission-critical applications where data integrity is essential for business operations and regulatory compliance. The attack scenario typically involves a malicious actor who has already gained high-privilege access to the system, either through legitimate administrative access or through previous compromises, and then leverages this existing access to exploit the privilege validation flaw. Organizations using affected MySQL versions face potential regulatory violations and compliance breaches, especially in industries governed by standards such as pci dss, hipaa, or gdpr where data integrity is mandatory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2730 primarily involve immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to versions that address the privilege validation flaw. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all affected systems and apply security updates promptly. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can reduce the attack surface, while monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unauthorized privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of principle of least privilege implementation, where administrative access should be strictly limited and monitored. Security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar privilege-related weaknesses in database environments, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of access control issues that could affect other database systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic where attackers leverage existing access to gain further unauthorized capabilities within the system.