CVE-2017-14481 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

MySQL MMM 2.2.1 has a critical shell command injection vulnerability that allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with elevated privileges.

Understanding CVE-2017-14481

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the MMM::Agent::Helpers::Network::send_arp function of MySQL Multi-Master Replication Manager (MMM) version 2.2.1.

What is CVE-2017-14481?

The vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the mmm_agentd process by sending a specially crafted MMM protocol message.

The Impact of CVE-2017-14481

CVSS Base Score: 9.8 (Critical)
Attack Vector: Network
Attack Complexity: Low
Confidentiality Impact: High
Integrity Impact: High
Availability Impact: High

Technical Details of CVE-2017-14481

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MMM::Agent::Helpers::Network::send_arp function allows for shell command injection, enabling arbitrary command execution.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: MySQL MMM
Vendor: Talos
Affected Version: MMM 2.2.1

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by initiating a TCP session with mmm_agentd and sending a specially crafted MMM protocol message.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-14481 is crucial to prevent unauthorized command execution.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply vendor patches or updates promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Restrict network access to vulnerable services.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the impact of potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from vendors.
Apply security patches as soon as they are released to mitigate risks.