CVE-2019-3003 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). 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 • 01/15/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-3003 resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of Oracle MySQL Server, affecting versions 8.0.16 and earlier. This represents a significant security weakness that operates at the core database engine level, where InnoDB manages data storage and transaction processing. The flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered through network-based attacks, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is critical. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with relatively low technical expertise can leverage it effectively, though it requires high privileged access and network connectivity to execute successfully. The CVSS score of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, which can result in complete system downtime and operational disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of specific database operations within the InnoDB storage engine that can lead to system instability. When exploited, the flaw causes the MySQL Server to either hang indefinitely or crash repeatedly, creating a persistent denial of service condition that can severely impact database operations and application availability. The attack vector requires network access through multiple protocols, suggesting that the vulnerability can be exploited across various communication channels that MySQL supports. The high privilege requirement indicates that attackers must already have elevated access rights to the system, though this does not necessarily mean administrative access - it could involve database user accounts with sufficient privileges to execute the triggering operations. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of privilege escalation or lateral movement attacks that can be leveraged to cause significant operational disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-3003 extends beyond simple service interruption to encompass potential business continuity risks and operational costs associated with system recovery and maintenance. Organizations relying on MySQL databases for critical applications face substantial risk of service degradation or complete system outages when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability's potential to cause frequent crashes means that database administrators may experience ongoing operational challenges, requiring constant monitoring and intervention to maintain service availability. This type of vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Denial of Service' technique category, specifically targeting database services and infrastructure components. The availability impact is particularly concerning as it affects the fundamental operational capability of database systems, potentially cascading into broader business disruption when applications depend on database connectivity for their functionality.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-3003 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to version 8.0.17 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the InnoDB storage engine vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to privileged network access, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters. Database administrators should monitor system logs for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around transaction processing and storage engine operations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-119 (Improper Access to Resources via Upper Layer) highlights the importance of proper input validation and resource management within database engines. Security teams should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify and alert on suspicious network traffic patterns associated with database protocol communications, as this may provide early warning of exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in database infrastructure that could be exploited in combination with this vulnerability to achieve more severe impacts.