CVE-2018-2771 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the Oracle MySQL Server, affecting versions 5.5.59 and earlier, 5.6.39 and earlier, and 5.7.21 and earlier. Exploiting this vulnerability could potentially compromise the MySQL Server, leading to denial of service situations.

Understanding CVE-2018-2771

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the Oracle MySQL Server, specifically in the "Locking" subcomponent.

What is CVE-2018-2771?

The vulnerability allows a highly privileged attacker with network access to compromise the MySQL Server, potentially causing it to hang or crash, resulting in a denial of service situation.

The Impact of CVE-2018-2771

Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized actions causing the server to hang or crash repeatedly, resulting in a denial of service situation.
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) 3.0 Base Score for this vulnerability is 4.4, with the main impact on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-2771

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability affects versions 5.5.59 and earlier, 5.6.39 and earlier, and 5.7.21 and earlier of the Oracle MySQL Server.

Affected Systems and Versions

MySQL Server versions 5.5.59 and prior
MySQL Server versions 5.6.39 and prior
MySQL Server versions 5.7.21 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

Exploiting this vulnerability can be challenging but can be achieved by a highly privileged attacker with network access through various protocols.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-2771, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Oracle Corporation promptly.
Monitor network traffic for any suspicious activities.
Restrict network access to the MySQL Server to authorized personnel only.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the MySQL Server to the latest versions.
Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of critical servers.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories and updates from Oracle Corporation.
Regularly check for patches and updates for the MySQL Server to address known vulnerabilities.