CVE-2020-2584 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Options). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.28 and prior and 8.0.18 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized access to critical data or complete access to all MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.4 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2584 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server that affects multiple version ranges including 5.7.28 and earlier releases, as well as 8.0.18 and prior versions. This flaw resides within the Server: Options component of the MySQL database system, making it particularly concerning given the fundamental role that database servers play in enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires some level of sophistication and access, the potential impact makes it a serious concern for database administrators and security professionals. The attack vector requires a high-privileged attacker with network access through multiple protocols, suggesting that this vulnerability could be leveraged by adversaries who have already gained some level of access to the network infrastructure or have obtained legitimate administrative credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls within the MySQL Server's option handling mechanisms, which allows an attacker with elevated privileges and network connectivity to potentially bypass normal security restrictions. This weakness specifically impacts the confidentiality aspect of the database security model, as demonstrated by the CVSS 3.0 base score of 4.4 which emphasizes the potential for unauthorized access to critical data. The vulnerability's configuration within the Server: Options component suggests that it may relate to how MySQL processes certain configuration parameters or command-line options that could be manipulated by an attacker. The fact that this vulnerability affects both the 5.7 and 8.0 release lines indicates that the underlying flaw has persisted across multiple versions of the MySQL codebase, potentially affecting a wide range of deployed systems. The CVSS vector analysis reveals that while the attack complexity is high, the privilege requirement is also high, suggesting that this vulnerability primarily targets environments where attackers have already compromised administrative access or have legitimate reasons to interact with the database server.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2584 extends beyond simple data access violations, as successful exploitation could potentially lead to complete compromise of all data accessible through the affected MySQL Server instances. This represents a severe threat to data confidentiality and integrity, particularly in environments where MySQL servers store sensitive information such as user credentials, financial data, personal information, or other critical business assets. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses if this vulnerability is successfully exploited. The vulnerability's presence across multiple release lines means that database administrators must carefully assess their entire infrastructure to identify all affected systems and implement appropriate remediation measures. Security teams should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape assessment, particularly in environments where database servers are accessible over networks and where administrative access controls may be insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2584 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server instances to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement additional access controls and network segmentation to limit exposure of MySQL servers to unauthorized network access, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as requiring high privileges and network access suggests that implementing proper network monitoring and access control measures can provide additional layers of defense. Database administrators should conduct comprehensive audits of their MySQL server configurations to ensure that unnecessary options and features are disabled, reducing the potential attack surface. From a compliance perspective, organizations should consider how this vulnerability impacts their data protection requirements and regulatory obligations, particularly if affected systems contain personally identifiable information or other sensitive data types. The vulnerability's presence highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust configuration management practices to prevent similar issues from arising in the future. This vulnerability aligns with CWE categories related to insufficient access control and improper privilege management, and may be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and credential access to understand the full attack chain that could be exploited by adversaries.