We had a mysql honeypot getting hit hard with this "exploit" recently. I am enclosing the word "exploit" in quotes as the MySQL server was configured to allow logging in without password. Here are some of the highlights of what happened after the attacker logged in. First, the attacker makes sure that the "root" user has all possible privileges:
Next, a "backdoor" account, mysqld, is added. Interestingly, this is done first by inserting the user into the "mysql.user" table, then again using the create user and grant command.
Next, the attacker is degrading the security of our mysql install further, but allowing stored functioned to write data to binary logs: set global log_bin_trust_function_creators=1 Of course, we may already be infected, so the attacker cleans up prior copies of the malicious code DROP FUNCTION IF EXISTS lib_mysqludf_sys_info DROP FUNCTION IF EXISTS sys_get DROP FUNCTION IF EXISTS sys_set DROP FUNCTION IF EXISTS sys_exec Then, a set of files is written to "/usr/lib/mysql/plubin". This directory *should* be write protected to the mysql user, so this should not work in most installs. select unhex('7F454C4602010100...000000') into dumpfile '/usr/lib/mysql/plugin/XXSIlX.so' In case MySQL is properly configured, the same file is also written to /usr/lib/mysql and other locations. Then, the ".so" file (an ELF binary) is used to create a function. CREATE FUNCTION sys_eval RETURNS string SONAME 'XXSIlX.so' It turns out tht this function is essentially an "exec" that allows executing arbitrary system commands. The attacker will now use it to download additional code (I code errors trying to download the code now). Note that the code is downloaded from web servers that listen on various high ports, not port 80.
Probably the best "indicator of compromise" is the existence of the mysqld user. This user appears to be common to all the attempts I have seen recently. The file names for the .so files change. Also auditing functions that exist on your MySQL server will help. And PLEASE: Do not expose port 3306 on the internet and set a strong password or use certificates to authenticate. --- |
Johannes 4511 Posts ISC Handler Feb 29th 2016 |
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Feb 29th 2016 6 years ago |
"PLEASE: Do not expose port 3306 on the internet..."
...unless it's hooked to a TCP tarpit. *fight back*. |
Anonymous |
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Mar 1st 2016 6 years ago |
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