CVE-2020-14838 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Security: Privileges). Supported versions that are affected are 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 read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.3 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14838 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 8.0.21 and earlier, specifically within the Server: Security: Privileges component. This flaw manifests as a privilege escalation issue that allows attackers with minimal privileges to gain unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The vulnerability operates through multiple network protocols, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across various attack vectors without requiring specialized tools or extensive network reconnaissance.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient privilege checks within the MySQL server's security mechanisms, creating a pathway for low-privileged users to bypass normal access controls. According to the CVSS 3.1 scoring system, this vulnerability carries a base score of 4.3, reflecting its moderate severity with confidentiality impacts rated as low. The attack vector requires network access and only needs low privileges to execute successfully, making it easily exploitable by threat actors who have gained minimal access to the system. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues in software systems, specifically targeting insufficient privilege checks that allow unauthorized data access.
From an operational perspective, successful exploitation of CVE-2020-14838 can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data, potentially exposing sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The impact extends beyond simple data theft, as compromised database access can serve as a foothold for further attacks within the network infrastructure. This vulnerability particularly affects organizations that rely heavily on MySQL databases for critical business operations, as it undermines the fundamental security assumptions of database access controls. The low attack complexity and lack of user interaction requirements make this vulnerability especially concerning for environments where database access is not strictly monitored or where privilege escalation paths are not properly enforced.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates to MySQL Server installations, conducting comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify affected systems, and reviewing existing database access controls and user privilege assignments. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit potential attack surfaces, while monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unauthorized database access attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation techniques, specifically targeting the 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' tactic, making it a critical concern for security teams implementing threat detection and response protocols. Regular security audits and privilege reviews are essential to prevent exploitation of such vulnerabilities, particularly in environments where database administrators may inadvertently grant excessive privileges to users or applications.