CVE-2020-2760 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.29 and prior and 8.0.19 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 as well as unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Server accessible data. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 5.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2760 resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of Oracle MySQL Server, representing a significant security weakness that affects multiple version ranges including MySQL 5.7.29 and earlier, as well as MySQL 8.0.19 and prior releases. This flaw manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs during specific database operations, particularly when processing malformed or crafted input data through various network protocols. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileged access and network connectivity can leverage this weakness to gain unauthorized control over affected MySQL servers. The security implications extend beyond simple data integrity concerns, as successful exploitation can lead to complete denial of service conditions where the database server becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly, effectively rendering critical database services unavailable to legitimate users.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the InnoDB storage engine's data processing routines, creating a condition where memory allocation occurs without proper bounds checking. This heap-based buffer overflow allows malicious actors to manipulate memory contents and potentially execute arbitrary code within the MySQL server context, though the attack vector requires an attacker to already possess high privileged network access to the database server. The Common Weakness Enumeration categorizes this as a buffer overflow vulnerability, specifically CWE-121, which represents a critical security flaw that can result in system compromise. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 5.5 reflects the balanced impact across integrity and availability domains, with the availability impact rated as high due to the potential for complete system downtime through repeated crashes.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2760 extends beyond immediate service disruption to encompass broader data integrity concerns that can affect database consistency and reliability. When exploited, this vulnerability enables attackers to perform unauthorized modifications to database content, including updates, inserts, and deletions of sensitive information stored within MySQL accessible data repositories. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that MySQL servers often contain critical business data, user credentials, and application information that could be compromised through this vulnerability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of data breaches, service interruptions, and potential regulatory compliance violations, especially in environments where database availability and data integrity are paramount for business operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified in multi-protocol environments where attackers can potentially exploit the weakness through various network connections including TCP/IP, Unix sockets, and other supported communication channels.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2760 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions that contain the relevant security fixes. Organizations must also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit privileged network access to MySQL servers, thereby reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Database administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and establish monitoring procedures to detect anomalous database activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additional defensive measures include implementing network intrusion detection systems, disabling unnecessary network protocols, and maintaining comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery in case of successful attacks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1071.004 technique for application layer protocol usage, highlighting the need for network traffic analysis and monitoring of database communication patterns. Regular security audits and penetration testing should be conducted to verify that all systems have been properly updated and that no legacy configurations remain that could expose the organization to this or similar vulnerabilities.