CVE-2019-2791 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Audit Plug-in). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.26 and prior and 8.0.16 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 as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 3.8 (Confidentiality and Integrity impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2791 resides within the MySQL Server audit plugin component, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple versions of Oracle MySQL database systems. This flaw specifically targets the server audit functionality that is designed to monitor and log database activities, creating an unexpected avenue for attackers to bypass normal access controls. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that sophisticated attack techniques are not required, making it particularly dangerous for organizations that rely on MySQL for critical data storage and processing operations. The affected versions include MySQL 5.7.26 and earlier releases, as well as MySQL 8.0.16 and prior versions, suggesting that this weakness has been present for several major releases and likely went undetected for an extended period.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper access control mechanisms within the audit plugin subsystem, allowing high-privileged attackers with network connectivity to execute unauthorized operations against the database server. This flaw operates through multiple network protocols, increasing its attack surface and making it more difficult to defend against through traditional network segmentation approaches. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 3.8 reflects its moderate severity, though the impact can be significant when considering that successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized modification of database contents through update, insert, or delete operations. Additionally, the vulnerability permits unauthorized read access to a subset of accessible data, which could expose sensitive information depending on the database content and the attacker's privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2791 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns, as it creates opportunities for data exfiltration and unauthorized modifications that can compromise the entire database system's reliability and trustworthiness. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability can manipulate database records without proper authorization, potentially leading to data corruption, financial losses, or compliance violations when sensitive information is accessed or altered. The fact that this vulnerability requires only high privileged access levels indicates that it may be exploited by insiders or attackers who have already gained some level of access to the network, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privilege escalation is possible. Organizations using MySQL in production environments face substantial risk if this vulnerability remains unpatched, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to critical business data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-2791 should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to limit access to MySQL services, particularly by disabling unnecessary network protocols and implementing strict firewall rules that restrict connections to database servers. The audit plugin configuration should be reviewed to ensure that it is properly configured and that unnecessary logging features are disabled to reduce the attack surface. System administrators should monitor database access logs for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and implement additional security controls such as database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and represents a specific instance where the principle of least privilege has been violated, allowing unauthorized operations through a legitimate system component. Organizations should also consider implementing the ATT&CK framework's techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access when developing their incident response procedures to better prepare for potential exploitation scenarios.