CVE-2019-2966 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.17 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).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-2966 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server's optimizer component, specifically affecting versions 8.0.17 and earlier. This flaw resides in the server's query optimization logic where an attacker can manipulate the system's execution path to trigger catastrophic failures. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage multiple protocols to initiate attacks against the MySQL service. The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects the significant availability impact, with the potential to cause complete denial of service through system hangs or repeated crashes that can render the database service completely inaccessible to legitimate users and applications.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs within the MySQL Server's optimizer module where specific query patterns can trigger memory corruption or execution flow disruptions. Attackers can craft malicious SQL statements or manipulate database operations that cause the optimizer to enter an unstable state, leading to system crashes or indefinite hangs. This type of vulnerability typically stems from inadequate input validation or improper memory management within the query execution engine, allowing malicious input to disrupt normal operational procedures. The low privilege requirement means that even users with minimal database permissions can potentially compromise the entire service, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in multi-tenant environments where different user roles share the same database infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-2966 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as MySQL database servers often serve as critical infrastructure components for enterprise applications, web services, and backend systems. When compromised through this vulnerability, the resulting denial of service can cascade through dependent applications, causing widespread business disruption and potentially leading to financial losses. The complete DOS condition means that database availability is completely compromised, requiring manual intervention to restart services and potentially leading to data consistency issues. Organizations relying on MySQL for mission-critical operations face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring elevated privileges, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt business operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patch management and network security controls. Oracle released patches for MySQL Server versions 8.0.18 and later that address the optimizer flaw through improved input validation and execution flow management. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to patched versions while implementing network segmentation to limit access to MySQL services. Additional defensive measures include restricting network access to database servers, implementing robust monitoring for unusual connection patterns, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 weakness category related to out-of-bounds read conditions and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving service stoppage and availability denial. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in database configurations and ensure comprehensive protection against similar attacks targeting database infrastructure components.