CVE-2018-3073 : Security Advisory and Response

A vulnerability has been discovered in the Oracle MySQL Server component (specifically, the Optimizer subcomponent) affecting versions 8.0.11 and earlier. This vulnerability can be easily exploited by a low privileged attacker who has network access through various protocols, potentially leading to the compromise of the MySQL Server.

Understanding CVE-2018-3073

This CVE involves a vulnerability in the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL, specifically impacting versions 8.0.11 and prior.

What is CVE-2018-3073?

The vulnerability allows a low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise the MySQL Server, potentially causing a denial of service by crashing or hanging the server.

The Impact of CVE-2018-3073

Successful exploitation may result in unauthorized individuals causing the server to hang or crash repeatedly, leading to a denial of service (DoS) situation.
The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) 3.0 has given it a base score of 6.5, with an impact on availability.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-3073

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the Optimizer subcomponent of MySQL Server allows unauthorized individuals to compromise the server through network access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: MySQL Server
Vendor: Oracle Corporation
Versions Affected: 8.0.11 and prior

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by a low privileged attacker with network access through various protocols, potentially leading to a compromise of the MySQL Server.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2018-3073, follow these mitigation and prevention strategies.

Immediate Steps to Take

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

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch the MySQL Server to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation to limit the exposure of critical servers.
Conduct regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that you regularly check for updates and patches released by Oracle for the MySQL Server to mitigate the vulnerability effectively.