Overview
It is recommended to set the local_infile database flag for a Cloud SQL MySQL instance to off.
Rationale
The local_infile flag controls the server-side LOCAL capability for LOAD DATA statements. Depending on the local_infile setting, the server refuses or permits local data loading by clients that have LOCAL enabled on the client side.
To explicitly cause the server to refuse LOAD DATA LOCAL statements (regardless of how client programs and libraries are configured at build time or runtime), start mysqld with local_infile disabled. local_infile can also be set at runtime.
Due to security issues associated with the local_infile flag, it is recommended to disable it. This recommendation is applicable to MySQL database instances.
Impact
Disabling local_infile makes the server refuse local data loading by clients that have LOCAL enabled on the client side.
Remediation guidance
From Google Cloud Console
- Go to the
Cloud SQL Instancespage in the Google Cloud Console by visiting https://console.cloud.google.com/sql/instances - Select the MySQL instance where the database flag needs to be enabled
- Click
EDIT - Scroll down to the
Flagssection - To set a flag that has not been set on the instance before, click
ADD A DATABASE FLAG, choose the flaglocal_infilefrom the drop-down menu, and set its value tooff - Click
SAVE - Confirm the changes under
Flagson theOverviewpage
Using Google Cloud CLI
- List all Cloud SQL database instances using the following command:
gcloud sql instances list
- Configure the
local_infiledatabase flag for every Cloud SQL MySQL database instance using the below command:
gcloud sql instances patch <instanceName> --database-flags local_infile=off
Note: This command will overwrite all database flags that were previously set. To keep those and add new ones, include the values for all flags to be set on the instance; any flag not specifically included is set to its default value. For flags that do not take a value, specify the flag name followed by an equals sign ("=").
Prevention
You can set up an Organization Policy to enforce that any new bucket has uniform bucket level access enabled. Learn more at: https://cloud.google.com/storage/docs/setting-org-policies#uniform-bucket
Default Value
By default local_infile is on.
References
- https://cloud.google.com/sql/docs/mysql/flags
- https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/server-system-variables.html#sysvar_local_infile
- https://dev.mysql.com/doc/refman/5.7/en/load-data-local.html
Additional information
WARNING: This patch modifies database flag values, which may require the instance to be restarted. Check the list of supported flags https://cloud.google.com/sql/docs/mysql/flags - to see if your instance will be restarted when this patch is submitted.
Note: Some database flag settings can affect instance availability or stability, and remove the instance from the Cloud SQL SLA. For information about these flags, see Operational Guidelines.
Note: Configuring the above flag restarts the Cloud SQL instance.
Service-wide remediation
Recommended when many resources are affected: fix the platform baseline first so new resources inherit the secure setting, then remediate the existing flagged resources in batches.
Google Cloud
Use organization or folder policies where available, shared project templates, logs and alerting baselines, and IaC modules so new resources inherit the secure setting.
Operational rollout
- Fix the baseline first at the account, subscription, project, cluster, or tenant scope that owns this control.
- Remediate the currently affected resources in batches, starting with internet-exposed and production assets.
- Re-scan and track approved exceptions with an owner and expiry date.
Query logic
These are the stored checks tied to this control.
The 'local_infile' database flag for a Cloud SQL Mysql instance is set to 'off'
Connectors
Covered asset types
Expected check: eq []
{ cloudSqlInstances( where: { engine: "mysql" cloudProvider: "gcp" OR: [ { dbFlags_NONE: { name: "local_infile" } } { dbFlags_SOME: { name: "local_infile", value: "on" } } ] } ) { ...AssetFragment }}
Google Cloud