CVE-2018-2703 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability in the Oracle MySQL Server component could allow a low privileged attacker to compromise the server, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Understanding CVE-2018-2703

This CVE involves a security vulnerability in the Oracle MySQL Server component, impacting versions 5.6.38 and earlier, as well as 5.7.20 and earlier.

What is CVE-2018-2703?

The vulnerability lies in the Server: Security: Privileges subcomponent of Oracle MySQL Server. It can be exploited by a low privileged attacker with network access through various protocols, potentially resulting in unauthorized actions that may cause the server to hang or crash, leading to a denial of service.

The Impact of CVE-2018-2703

If successfully exploited, this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized actions causing the server to hang or crash repeatedly, impacting the availability of the MySQL Server. The CVSS 3.0 Base Score for this vulnerability is 6.5, mainly affecting availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-2703

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a low privileged attacker with network access to compromise the MySQL Server, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MySQL Server
Vendor: Oracle Corporation
Affected Versions: 5.6.38 and prior, 5.7.20 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a low privileged attacker with network access through various protocols, enabling unauthorized actions that may cause the server to hang or crash, resulting in a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-2703 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Oracle Corporation promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activity.
Restrict network access to minimize exposure to potential attackers.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch MySQL Server to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement strong access controls and authentication mechanisms.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and mitigate risks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the MySQL Server is updated with the latest security patches and updates to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.