CVE-2020-2896 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Information Schema). Supported versions that are affected are 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. 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).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-2896 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server's Information Schema component, affecting versions 8.0.19 and earlier. This flaw resides in the server's information schema functionality, which serves as a critical metadata repository for database operations and system information. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the targeted MySQL server infrastructure. The attack vector encompasses multiple protocols, making the vulnerability particularly concerning as it can be accessed through various network communication channels.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of specific information schema queries that can trigger a denial of service condition within the MySQL server process. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause either a complete hang or frequent crashes of the MySQL server instance, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be categorized under CWE-121 as a buffer overflow condition or similar memory corruption issue. The CVSS 3.0 scoring of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, though the complete system downtime potential makes this a critical concern for production environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2896 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical database operations face significant risk of service interruption when this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in environments where database uptime is crucial for business operations. The requirement for high privileged access reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the threat, as privilege escalation or legitimate administrative access points can still be compromised. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks and represents a specific implementation weakness in the information schema component that can be exploited to achieve complete service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-2896 primarily involve upgrading to MySQL Server version 8.0.20 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the information schema vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized administrative users can access the database server with the required privileges. Regular monitoring of database server processes and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures ensures that organizations can quickly restore service if the vulnerability is successfully exploited, while also implementing proper privilege management and least-privilege access controls to minimize the potential impact of any successful attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of keeping database server software updated and maintaining robust security practices around administrative access and network configuration.