CVE-2023-39593 in MariaDB
Summary
by MITRE • 10/18/2024
Insecure permissions in the sys_exec function of Oracle MYSQL MariaDB v10.5 allows authenticated attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-39593 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL MariaDB version 10.5 that stems from insecure permissions in the sys_exec function. This function is designed to execute system commands from within the database environment, but due to improper access controls, authenticated users can exploit this weakness to escalate their privileges and execute arbitrary commands on the underlying operating system. The vulnerability exists because the sys_exec function does not properly validate or restrict the permissions of users attempting to invoke it, creating a path for privilege escalation attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation and privilege checking mechanisms within the MariaDB database system. When an authenticated user invokes the sys_exec function, the system should enforce strict permission checks to ensure that only authorized individuals can execute system-level commands. However, the flaw allows any authenticated user to bypass these checks and gain elevated privileges necessary for system command execution. This represents a direct violation of the principle of least privilege and demonstrates a fundamental failure in the database's access control model. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-284 which specifically addresses improper access control and weak permissions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where database systems often run with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-39593 is severe and multifaceted, potentially allowing attackers to compromise entire database servers and underlying infrastructure. Once an authenticated attacker exploits this vulnerability, they can execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the database service account, which typically has extensive system-level access. This could enable attackers to read sensitive data, modify database contents, install malicious software, or even establish persistent backdoors within the system. The attack surface is particularly concerning because database administrators often configure database services with elevated privileges to perform administrative tasks, making the potential impact of this vulnerability significantly amplified. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.001 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell) and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation), highlighting the attack vectors and techniques that would be employed in exploiting this weakness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-39593 must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The primary recommendation is to apply the official security patches released by Oracle to address this specific vulnerability in MariaDB version 10.5. Organizations should also implement strict access controls and audit all instances where the sys_exec function is used, ensuring that only absolutely necessary users have access to these capabilities. Database administrators should regularly review and minimize the permissions granted to database accounts, particularly those with elevated privileges. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to database servers can limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual command execution patterns and unauthorized access attempts to database functions. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify similar permission-related flaws within database systems, aligning with industry best practices outlined in standards such as NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 for information security management.