CVE-2020-2897 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). 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-2020-2897 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL, affecting versions 8.0.19 and earlier. This issue represents a significant security concern as it operates within the core database engine's query optimization logic, which is fundamental to database operations. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's ability to process complex queries and optimization decisions, creating a pathway for attackers to disrupt normal database operations through carefully crafted inputs that exploit internal processing flaws.
This vulnerability operates at a high privilege level requiring network access through multiple protocols, indicating that an attacker with elevated credentials and network connectivity can exploit the flaw. The attack vector suggests that the vulnerability can be triggered through various network interfaces that MySQL supports, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database servers are accessible over networks. The CVSS score of 4.9 reflects the availability impact, with a high privilege requirement and low attack complexity, suggesting that while the attack requires elevated credentials, it can be executed with minimal technical sophistication once access is obtained.
The operational impact of this vulnerability manifests as a complete denial of service condition where successful exploitation can cause the MySQL Server to hang or repeatedly crash. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning for database environments where uptime and availability are critical requirements. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeated crashes means that even a single successful exploitation attempt can render the database server unavailable for extended periods, potentially causing significant business disruption. The complete DOS condition indicates that the server cannot recover without manual intervention or restart, making this a particularly disruptive vulnerability for production environments.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how optimization routines in database systems can introduce stability risks. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where attackers can leverage existing access to cause system instability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader database security assessments, particularly focusing on the optimizer component which is often overlooked in traditional security reviews. The vulnerability's presence in the 8.0.19 version and prior indicates that it was likely introduced during optimization enhancements that may have inadvertently created stability issues in the query processing pipeline.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems to the latest MySQL Server versions where this vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized network segments can access database servers. Additionally, monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database server crashes or hangs that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of database server configurations and query processing routines should be conducted to identify potential stability issues before they can be exploited. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough testing of optimization features and the potential for seemingly benign improvements to introduce critical stability issues in database systems.