TITLE:
MySQL "mysql_real_connect" Buffer Overflow Vulnerability

SECUNIA ADVISORY ID:
SA12305

VERIFY ADVISORY:
http://secunia.com/advisories/12305/

CRITICAL:
Less critical

IMPACT:
System access

WHERE:
>From local network

SOFTWARE:
MySQL 4.x
http://secunia.com/product/404/

DESCRIPTION:
Lukasz Wojtow has reported a vulnerability in MySQL, potentially
allowing malicious people to compromise a vulnerable system.

The problem is that the "mysql_real_connect()" function doesn't
properly verify the length of IP addresses returned by a reverse DNS
lookup of a hostname. This could potentially be exploited to cause a
buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code.

Successful exploitation requires that the attacker is able to return
a malicious DNS reply when a MySQL user connects to a server.

This has been reported in MySQL 4.0.20 and prior.

It has been reported that this can't be exploited on the Linux and
OpenBSD platforms.

SOLUTION:
This will be fixed in the upcoming 4.0.21.

MySQL servers should only be allowed to connect to trusted IP
addresses.

ORIGINAL ADVISORY:
http://bugs.mysql.com/bug.php?id=4017

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