MySQL allows default user to be changed to root via custom "my.cnf" file

Overview

MySQL reads configuration options from world-writeable files. This can lead to a remote user gaining elevated privileges.

Description

A message posted to the bugtraq mailing list details a vulnerability affecting versions of MySQL prior to 3.23.56. MySQL would permit users with ‘FILE’ permissions to create and edit world-writeable configuration files. Upon rebooting the server, MySQL would read these files and be configured to give a remote user elevated privileges.

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Impact

Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to a remote user gaining elevated privileges and subsequently gaining control of the MySQL database.

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Solution

Version 3.23.56 of MySQL resolves this issue. Likewise, you may apply the patch or upgrade supplied by your vendor for this issue.

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Vendor Information

203897

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MySQL __ Affected

Updated: March 18, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

We have not received a statement from the vendor.

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

This issue is reported as resolved in the announcement for version 3.23.56:

<http://lists.mysql.com/cgi-ez/ezmlm-cgi?2:mss:159:200303:anlmcilggaommdkbcboe&gt;

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23203897 Feedback>).

OpenPKG __ Affected

Updated: March 18, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

Please see <http://www.openpkg.org/security/OpenPKG-SA-2003.022-mysql.html&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23203897 Feedback>).

Trustix __ Affected

Updated: March 18, 2003

Status

Affected

Vendor Statement

Please see <http://www.trustix.net/errata/misc/2003/TSL-2003-0009-mysql.asc.txt&gt;

Vendor Information

The vendor has not provided us with any further information regarding this vulnerability.

Addendum

The CERT/CC has no additional comments at this time.

If you have feedback, comments, or additional information about this vulnerability, please send us [email](<mailto:[email protected]?Subject=VU%23203897 Feedback>).

CVSS Metrics

Group	Score	Vector
Base
Temporal
Environmental

References

<http://lists.mysql.com/cgi-ez/ezmlm-cgi?2:mss:159:200303:anlmcilggaommdkbcboe&gt;

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Gufino for reporting this vulnerability.

This document was written by Jason A Rafail.

Other Information

CVE IDs:	CVE-2003-0150
Severity Metric:	9.43 Date Public: