CVE-2020-14775 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.31 and prior and 8.0.21 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 3.1 Base Score 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14775 resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of Oracle MySQL database servers, representing a significant availability risk that affects multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.7.31 and earlier releases, as well as MySQL 8.0.21 and prior versions. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered by low-privileged attackers who possess network access to the targeted MySQL server through various communication protocols. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers require minimal privileges and sophisticated technical skills to successfully compromise the affected systems, making it particularly concerning for database environments where access controls may not be sufficiently restrictive.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a flaw within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of specific database operations that leads to system instability and potential complete server crashes. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to induce conditions that cause the MySQL server to enter a state of frequent repetition or complete hang, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications. This behavior aligns with the CVSS 3.1 scoring system's assignment of a base score of 6.5, which reflects the vulnerability's availability impact severity. The attack vector is classified as network-based (AV:N) requiring low access complexity (AC:L) and only low privileges (PR:L) to execute successfully, with no user interaction required (UI:N) and a scope of unchanged (S:U) affecting the target system directly.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14775 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise business continuity and data availability for organizations relying on MySQL databases. The vulnerability's ability to cause complete denial of service through repeated crashes or hangs means that database applications may experience extended downtime, potentially resulting in significant financial losses and reputational damage. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face the risk of unauthorized disruption to their database services, which could impact critical business operations that depend on database availability. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database servers are accessible over networks and where proper access controls may not adequately prevent low-privileged users from exploiting the flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-14775 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions that contain the relevant security fixes. Organizations should implement network-level access controls to restrict unnecessary network access to MySQL servers and employ principle of least privilege configurations to limit user access rights within database environments. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 119 (Improper Access to Memory) and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) indicates that defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual database server behavior and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of database environments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses that may exist within the broader database infrastructure ecosystem.