CVE-2017-3523: Mysql connector java Improper Access Control Vulnerability

HIGH
Advisory Identifier: GHSA-2xxh-f8r3-hvvr
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CVSS 8.5
CWE-284
Published
Advisory Summary

CVE-2017-3523 is a HIGH (CVSS 8.5) improper access control vulnerability (CWE-284: Improper Access Control) affecting Mysql connector java libraries in the Maven ecosystem. The issue involves improper access control in mysql connectors java. Remediation is available by upgrading affected packages to version 5.1.41.

CVE-2017-3523 at a Glance

CVE Identifier CVE-2017-3523
GHSA Identifier GHSA-2xxh-f8r3-hvvr
Severity HIGH
CVSS v3.1 Base Score 8.5
CWE Classification CWE-284: Improper Access Control
Affected Product Mysql connector java
Package Ecosystem Maven
Published Date
Last Updated

Security Impact

CVSS: 8.5

The security impact metrics below are parsed directly from the CVSS v3.1 vector string (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

Attack Vector Network (AV:N)
Attack Complexity High (AC:H)
Privileges Required Low (PR:L)
User Interaction None (UI:N)
Scope Changed (S:C)
Confidentiality High (C:H)
Integrity High (I:H)
Availability High (A:H)

How to Fix CVE-2017-3523

To remediate this vulnerability, upgrade all affected Mysql connector java dependencies to a patched release. Both direct and transitive dependencies should be checked, as frameworks or security libraries may pull in vulnerable versions transitively.

mysql:mysql-connector-java fixed: 5.1.41 
<dependency>
    <groupId>mysql</groupId>
    <artifactId>mysql-connector-java</artifactId>
    <version>5.1.41</version>
</dependency>
Verify Direct and Transitive Dependencies

Run the following command in your project directory to verify that all resolved dependencies use the patched release: 

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=mysql

How to Check if You Are Affected

To determine whether your Java application is affected by CVE-2017-3523, inspect your build dependencies using the Maven Dependency Plugin:

mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=mysql

Analyze the terminal output to locate any version of Mysql connector java in your dependency tree. If any resolved version matches the vulnerable ranges listed in the table below (for example, versions earlier than 5.1.41), your application is affected.

Note: The mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=mysql command inspects the resolved dependency graph declared in your project's POM files; it does not perform automated security scanning or inspect runtime dynamic classpaths. Always verify runtime container classpaths and shaded JARs.

Technical Details

Vulnerability Mechanism & Technical Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-284: Improper Access Control, where the product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor. In Mysql connector java, software state validation or input boundaries are circumvented during processing. Review the official source advisory statement below for specific affected components, classes, and reproduction details.

Source Advisory Statement

Vulnerability in the MySQL Connectors component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Connector/J). Supported versions that are affected are 5.1.40 and earlier. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Connectors. While the vulnerability is in MySQL Connectors, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of MySQL Connectors. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.5 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).

CVE-2017-3523 Affected Mysql connector java Versions

1 component(s)
Fixed Versions:
5.1.41
Product / Package Ecosystem Affected Versions Fixed Version
mysql:mysql-connector-java
maven/mysql/mysql-connector-java
Maven
< 5.1.41
5.1.41

References

NVD — CVE-2017-3523 NVD
https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3523
Mysql connector java Security Information SECURITY
http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3840
Mysql connector java Security Information SECURITY
http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2017-3236618.html
Mysql connector java Security Information SECURITY
http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97982

Frequently Asked Questions

What is CVE-2017-3523?
CVE-2017-3523 is a security vulnerability in Mysql connector java involving Improper Access Control in MySQL Connectors Java under CWE-284: Improper Access Control.
Which Mysql connector java versions are affected?
Affected versions include releases prior to 5.1.41 across affected packages: mysql:mysql-connector-java.
What version fixes CVE-2017-3523?
Upgrading to 5.1.41 (or the latest patched release for your respective branch) resolves the vulnerability.
Is mysql-connector-java affected?
Yes, mysql:mysql-connector-java is affected in releases prior to 5.1.41. Upgrade your dependency to 5.1.41 or later.
What is the CVSS score of CVE-2017-3523?
CVE-2017-3523 has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.5 (HIGH) with vector string CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H.
What CWE is associated with CVE-2017-3523?
CVE-2017-3523 is classified under CWE-284: Improper Access Control (The product does not restrict or incorrectly restricts access to a resource from an unauthorized actor.).
How can I check Maven dependencies for CVE-2017-3523?
Run the dependency tree command: 'mvn dependency:tree -Dincludes=mysql'. This command lists direct and transitive dependencies in your build configuration so you can verify if a vulnerable version is resolved.
Machine-readable OSV JSON OSV v1.5 Schema
Normalized schema output
View Raw JSON 
{
  "schema_version" : "1.4.0",
  "id" : "GHSA-2xxh-f8r3-hvvr",
  "modified" : "2022-07-01T17:12:48Z",
  "published" : "2022-05-13T01:45:34Z",
  "aliases" : [ "CVE-2017-3523" ],
  "summary" : "Improper Access Control in MySQL Connectors Java",
  "details" : "Vulnerability in the MySQL Connectors component of Oracle MySQL (subcomponent: Connector/J). Supported versions that are affected are 5.1.40 and earlier. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Connectors. While the vulnerability is in MySQL Connectors, attacks may significantly impact additional products. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of MySQL Connectors. CVSS 3.0 Base Score 8.5 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H).",
  "severity" : [ {
    "type" : "CVSS_V3",
    "score" : "CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:H/PR:L/UI:N/S:C/C:H/I:H/A:H"
  } ],
  "affected" : [ {
    "package" : {
      "ecosystem" : "Maven",
      "name" : "mysql:mysql-connector-java"
    },
    "ranges" : [ {
      "type" : "ECOSYSTEM",
      "events" : [ {
        "introduced" : "0"
      }, {
        "fixed" : "5.1.41"
      } ]
    } ],
    "database_specific" : {
      "last_known_affected_version_range" : "<= 5.1.40"
    }
  } ],
  "references" : [ {
    "type" : "ADVISORY",
    "url" : "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-3523"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.debian.org/security/2017/dsa-3840"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/security-advisory/cpuapr2017-3236618.html"
  }, {
    "type" : "WEB",
    "url" : "http://www.securityfocus.com/bid/97982"
  } ],
  "database_specific" : {
    "cwe_ids" : [ "CWE-284" ],
    "severity" : "HIGH",
    "github_reviewed" : true,
    "github_reviewed_at" : "2022-07-01T17:12:48Z",
    "nvd_published_at" : "2017-04-24T19:59:00Z"
  }
}