Description
The COM_CHANGE_USER command in MySQL 3.x before 3.23.54, and 4.x to 4.0.6, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long response.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 3.0 | mysql | 3.23.49-8.2 | DSA-212 |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- MySQL 3.23.x/4.0.x - COM_CHANGE_USER Password Memory Corruption EDB-22085 · remote · Dec 12, 2002 · verified
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 1
- DSA-212 mysql - multiple problems Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
References
- 20021212 Advisory 04/2002: Multiple MySQL vulnerabilities mailing-list
- 20021216 [OpenPKG-SA-2002.013] OpenPKG Security Advisory (mysql) mailing-list
- CLSA-2002:555 vendor-advisory
- ESA-20021213-033 vendor-advisory
- http://security.e-matters.de/advisories/042002.html
- DSA-212 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2002:288 vendor-advisory
- mysql-comchangeuser-password-bo(10848) vdb-entry
- MDKSA-2002:087 vendor-advisory
- RHSA-2003:166 vendor-advisory
- GLSA-200212-2 vendor-advisory
- SUSE-SA:2003:003 vendor-advisory
- 6375 vdb-entry
- RHSA-2002:289 vendor-advisory
- 2002-0086 vendor-advisory
- IMNX-2003-7+-008-01 vendor-advisory