CVE-2020-2930 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Parser). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.19 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 ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/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-2020-2930 resides within the MySQL Server component known as the Server: Parser, affecting Oracle MySQL versions 8.0.19 and earlier. This represents a critical availability threat that demonstrates how seemingly minor parser flaws can escalate into significant operational disruptions. The vulnerability operates at the core parsing layer of the database server, where SQL statements are processed and interpreted, making it particularly dangerous as it can impact the fundamental functionality of the database system. The affected version range indicates this issue was present in a substantial portion of MySQL 8.0 releases, suggesting widespread potential impact across enterprise environments that rely on this database platform for critical operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw in the SQL parser that can be exploited by a high-privileged attacker with network access through multiple protocols. This attack vector specification places the vulnerability in the context of network-based exploitation where the attacker must already possess elevated privileges within the system, typically corresponding to database administrative or user accounts with sufficient access rights. The CVSS score of 4.4 reflects the availability impact, indicating that successful exploitation results in complete denial of service conditions where the MySQL Server becomes unresponsive or crashes repeatedly. The high attack complexity (AC:H) suggests that exploitation requires significant technical expertise and specific conditions, while the high privilege requirement (PR:H) indicates that attackers must already have elevated access levels within the system to effectively carry out this attack.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-2930 extends far beyond simple service disruption, as it can lead to complete system unavailability that affects business continuity and data access. When a MySQL Server experiences frequent crashes or hangs due to this parser vulnerability, it can result in cascading failures across applications that depend on database connectivity, potentially affecting multiple business processes simultaneously. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeatable crashes makes it particularly challenging to manage in production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations. Organizations utilizing MySQL 8.0.19 or earlier versions face significant risk of service interruptions that can impact customer access, transaction processing, and overall system reliability. The availability impact is especially concerning for mission-critical applications where database downtime can result in substantial financial losses and reputational damage.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of input boundaries, and reflects patterns commonly seen in parsing and input validation flaws within database systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Denial of Service attack pattern, specifically targeting the availability of system resources. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to MySQL 8.0.20 or later versions where this vulnerability has been resolved, applying security patches promptly, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual crash patterns or service interruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining current database software versions and implementing robust patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known security flaws that could lead to complete system compromise and service disruption.