CVE-2022-27451 in MariaDB
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2022
MariaDB Server v10.9 and below was discovered to contain a segmentation fault via the component sql/field_conv.cc.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-27451 represents a critical segmentation fault within MariaDB Server versions 10.9 and earlier, specifically within the sql/field_conv.cc component. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be exploited through careful manipulation of database operations involving field conversion processes. The segmentation fault occurs when the server encounters specific data patterns during field conversion routines, leading to abrupt process termination and system instability. The affected component sql/field_conv.cc handles the conversion of data between different field types during query execution, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through standard database operations.
This vulnerability falls under the category of software fault or memory corruption issues, specifically aligning with CWE-119 which addresses improper access to memory locations and CWE-125 which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow scenario where the database server fails to properly validate input data during field conversion operations, resulting in memory access violations that crash the database process. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious queries that trigger the problematic field conversion paths, potentially causing system-wide service disruption and data unavailability. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate bounds checking within the database engine's core conversion logic.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-27451 extends beyond simple service interruption to encompass potential data integrity concerns and business continuity risks. When exploited, the segmentation fault can cause database servers to crash repeatedly, leading to extended downtime and potential data loss if the system fails to properly recover from the crash state. Organizations relying on MariaDB for critical database operations face significant operational disruption, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate database queries without requiring elevated privileges or specialized attack vectors. The flaw also presents a potential pathway for more sophisticated attacks, as the system instability can be leveraged to create conditions favorable for additional exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-27451 should prioritize immediate patch application to MariaDB Server versions 10.10 and later where the vulnerability has been resolved. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring to detect abnormal process termination patterns and establish automated alerting for database service disruptions. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure to potentially malicious queries, while database administrators should implement query validation and sanitization measures to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation practices within database systems, with remediation efforts focusing on both immediate patching and long-term architectural improvements to prevent similar issues in future database operations.