CVE-2018-2816 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

An issue has been detected in the Optimizer component of the MySQL Server in Oracle MySQL, specifically impacting versions 5.7.21 and earlier. This vulnerability can be easily exploited by a highly privileged attacker who has network access through various protocols, potentially compromising the MySQL Server. If successfully exploited, this vulnerability may result in an unauthorized ability to cause the server to hang or frequently crash, leading to a complete denial of service. According to the CVSS 3.0 Base Score, this vulnerability has an impact on availability with a score of 4.9. The CVSS Vector associated with this vulnerability is (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

Understanding CVE-2018-2816

This section provides insights into the nature and impact of CVE-2018-2816.

What is CVE-2018-2816?

CVE-2018-2816 is a vulnerability found in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL, specifically affecting versions 5.7.21 and earlier. It is classified as an easily exploitable vulnerability that allows a highly privileged attacker with network access to compromise the MySQL Server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-2816

The vulnerability poses a significant threat as it can be exploited by attackers with network access, potentially leading to a complete denial of service by causing the server to hang or crash frequently. The CVSS 3.0 Base Score of 4.9 indicates a moderate impact on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-2816

This section delves into the technical aspects of CVE-2018-2816.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Optimizer component of the MySQL Server allows attackers to compromise the server, resulting in unauthorized actions that can lead to a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MySQL Server
Vendor: Oracle Corporation
Versions Affected: 5.7.21 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a highly privileged attacker with network access through various protocols, enabling them to compromise the MySQL Server and cause it to hang or crash.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, we discuss steps to mitigate and prevent exploitation of CVE-2018-2816.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches provided by Oracle Corporation promptly.
Restrict network access to the MySQL Server to trusted entities only.
Monitor server logs for any unusual activities that may indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the MySQL Server to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of the server to potential attackers.
Conduct regular security audits and assessments to identify and address security weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you stay informed about security updates released by Oracle Corporation for MySQL Server and apply them as soon as they are available.