Sun MySQL 3.23.49/4.0.21 Reverse DNS mysql_real_connect memory corruption

CVSS Meta Temp Score
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7.0$0-$5k0.00

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability, which was classified as critical, has been found in Sun MySQL 3.23.49/4.0.21. The impacted element is the function mysql_real_connect of the component Reverse DNS Handler. This manipulation causes memory corruption. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2004-0836. It is possible to initiate the attack remotely. There is no exploit available. It is advisable to upgrade the affected component.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in Sun MySQL 3.23.49/4.0.21 (Database Software). It has been declared as critical. Affected by this vulnerability is the function mysql_real_connect of the component Reverse DNS Handler. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a memory corruption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-119. The product performs operations on a memory buffer, but it can read from or write to a memory location that is outside of the intended boundary of the buffer. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability. The summary by CVE is:

Buffer overflow in the mysql_real_connect function in MySQL 4.x before 4.0.21, and 3.x before 3.23.49, allows remote DNS servers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a DNS response with a large address length (h_length).

The bug was discovered 08/20/2004. The weakness was shared 08/19/2004 by Lukasz Wojtow (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at bugs.mysql.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2004-0836 since 09/08/2004. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 20648 (Ubuntu 4.10 : mysql-dfsg vulnerabilities (USN-32-1)), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. It is assigned to the family Ubuntu Local Security Checks and running in the context l. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 19678 (MySQL mysql_real_connect Function Buffer Overflow).

Upgrading eliminates this vulnerability. Applying a patch is able to eliminate this problem. The bugfix is ready for download at bugs.mysql.com. The best possible mitigation is suggested to be upgrading to the latest version. A possible mitigation has been published 5 months after the disclosure of the vulnerability.

The vulnerability is also documented in the databases at X-Force (17047), Tenable (20648), SecurityFocus (BID 10981†), OSVDB (10658†) and Secunia (SA12305†). The entry VDB-798 is related to this item. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

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  • end of life (old version)

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CPE 2.3info

CPE 2.2info

CVSSv4info

VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv3info

VulDB Meta Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Meta Temp Score: 7.0

VulDB Base Score: 7.3
VulDB Temp Score: 7.0
VulDB Vector: 🔍
VulDB Reliability: 🔍

CVSSv2info

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VulDB Base Score: 🔍
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Exploitinginfo

Class: Memory corruption
CWE: CWE-119
CAPEC: 🔍
ATT&CK: 🔍

Physical: No
Local: No
Remote: Yes

Availability: 🔍
Status: Not defined

EPSS Score: 🔍
EPSS Percentile: 🔍

Price Prediction: 🔍
Current Price Estimation: 🔍

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Nessus ID: 20648
Nessus Name: Ubuntu 4.10 : mysql-dfsg vulnerabilities (USN-32-1)
Nessus File: 🔍
Nessus Risk: 🔍
Nessus Family: 🔍
Nessus Context: 🔍
Nessus Port: 🔍

OpenVAS ID: 53251
OpenVAS Name: Debian Security Advisory DSA 562-1 (mysql)
OpenVAS File: 🔍
OpenVAS Family: 🔍

Qualys ID: 🔍
Qualys Name: 🔍

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Interest: 🔍
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Countermeasuresinfo

Recommended: Upgrade
Status: 🔍

Reaction Time: 🔍
0-Day Time: 🔍
Exposure Time: 🔍

Patch: bugs.mysql.com

Timelineinfo

08/19/2004 🔍
08/20/2004 +1 days 🔍
08/20/2004 +0 days 🔍
08/20/2004 +0 days 🔍
08/20/2004 +0 days 🔍
08/23/2004 +3 days 🔍
08/23/2004 +0 days 🔍
09/08/2004 +16 days 🔍
10/11/2004 +33 days 🔍
11/03/2004 +22 days 🔍
12/16/2004 +43 days 🔍
01/15/2006 +395 days 🔍
07/07/2025 +7113 days 🔍

Sourcesinfo

Vendor: oracle.com

Advisory: bugs.mysql.com
Researcher: Lukasz Wojtow
Status: Confirmed

CVE: CVE-2004-0836 (🔍)
GCVE (CVE): GCVE-0-2004-0836
GCVE (VulDB): GCVE-100-799
X-Force: 17047 - MySQL mysql_real_connect buffer overflow, High Risk
SecurityFocus: 10981 - MySQL Mysql_real_connect Function Potential Remote Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Secunia: 12305 - MySQL "mysql_real_connect()" Function Buffer Overflow Vulnerability, Less Critical
OSVDB: 10658 - MySQL mysql_real_connect() Function Remote Overflow
Vulnerability Center: 5164 - Buffer Overflow In MySQL <= 4.0.20 Allows Code Execution, High

See also: 🔍

Entryinfo

Created: 08/23/2004 12:33
Updated: 07/07/2025 17:37
Changes: 08/23/2004 12:33 (94), 06/29/2019 09:22 (2), 07/07/2025 17:37 (19)
Complete: 🔍
Cache ID: 216::103

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