CVE-2019-2803 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.16 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 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).
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2803 resides within the MySQL Server component, specifically within the Server: Optimizer subcomponent of Oracle MySQL. This critical flaw affects all supported versions up to and including 8.0.16, representing a significant security risk for organizations relying on MySQL database infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal technical expertise can leverage this weakness, particularly when they possess high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols. The attack vector analysis reveals that the threat actor requires elevated privileges but not necessarily administrative access, suggesting that the vulnerability may be accessible through legitimate administrative accounts that have been compromised or through legitimate database access points that have been infiltrated.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies within the query optimization process of MySQL Server, where the optimizer component handles the execution planning of database queries. When processing specific query patterns or conditions, the optimizer fails to properly handle certain edge cases or memory management scenarios, leading to critical system instability. This flaw manifests as a complete denial of service condition where the MySQL Server process becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption, as the repeated crashes can cause cascading failures in applications that depend on database connectivity, potentially leading to extended downtime and data access interruptions that can severely impact business operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2803 represents a significant availability threat that can disrupt database operations and business continuity. The CVSS 3.0 base score of 4.9 indicates a moderate to high severity impact, with the availability impact rating of high (A:H) demonstrating that successful exploitation can result in complete service disruption. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that depend on MySQL for mission-critical applications, as the denial of service condition can prevent legitimate database access and potentially cause data integrity issues if the crashes occur during transaction processing. The attack requires network access and high privileges, suggesting that this vulnerability is more likely to be exploited by insider threats or by attackers who have already gained administrative access to the database environment, making it particularly dangerous in environments where privileged accounts are not adequately secured.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through patching Oracle MySQL to versions beyond 8.0.16, as this represents the most effective mitigation strategy for addressing the vulnerability. The implementation of network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the attack surface by limiting network access to MySQL servers and implementing strict authentication requirements for privileged accounts. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of database server crashes or unresponsive behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a potential attack path through the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous query patterns that might trigger the optimizer bug, as well as establishing incident response procedures specifically designed to handle database service disruption events. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing robust security practices around privileged database access to prevent exploitation of such critical infrastructure weaknesses.