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Description

This error indicates that a user or application attempted to access a system table, database, or routine (like `mysql.user` or `information_schema`) but was explicitly rejected. It typically occurs when the connecting user lacks the necessary permissions to view or modify critical database metadata, or when an application is misconfigured.

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Error Message

Access to %s '%s.%s' is rejected.

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Known Causes

4 known causes

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Insufficient User Privileges

The MySQL user attempting the operation does not have the necessary `SELECT`, `INSERT`, `UPDATE`, `DELETE`, or `EXECUTE` privileges for the specific system object.

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Accidental System Table Access

A query or application might be inadvertently targeting a system table (e.g., `mysql.db`, `information_schema.tables`) when it intended to access a user-defined table.

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Database Read-Only Mode

The MySQL server or a specific database might be configured in read-only mode, preventing any write operations, including those on system tables.

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Application Configuration Error

An application is configured to perform actions on system tables without providing credentials that possess the required administrative privileges.

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Solutions

3 solutions available

1. Grant Necessary Privileges to the User medium

The most common cause is that the user attempting to access the system table lacks the required permissions.

1

Identify the user experiencing the error. This is usually evident from the connection logs or the application stack trace.

2

Connect to your MySQL server as a user with sufficient privileges (e.g., root or a user with GRANT OPTION).

mysql -u root -p

3

Grant the necessary privileges to the user. The specific privilege needed depends on what operation is being performed on the system table. For general read access to system tables, `SELECT` is often sufficient. If the user needs to modify system tables (which is generally not recommended for regular users), `UPDATE`, `INSERT`, or `DELETE` might be required, along with specific table privileges.

GRANT SELECT ON mysql.* TO 'your_user'@'your_host';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

4

Replace 'your_user' with the actual username and 'your_host' with the host from which the user connects (e.g., 'localhost', '%').

5

If the error message specifies a particular system table (e.g., `mysql.user`), grant access to that specific table.

GRANT SELECT ON mysql.user TO 'your_user'@'your_host';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

6

Ask the user to retry the operation.

2. Review and Adjust Global Privileges medium

This solution involves checking if the user has been explicitly denied access or if global privileges are too restrictive.

1

Connect to your MySQL server as a privileged user.

mysql -u root -p

2

Check the current privileges for the user, paying attention to any explicit `REVOKE` statements or restrictive global privileges.

SHOW GRANTS FOR 'your_user'@'your_host';
SHOW GLOBAL PRIVILEGES;

3

If the user is denied access through a `REVOKE` statement that shouldn't apply, you might need to re-grant the privilege. For example, if `SELECT` on `mysql.*` was revoked, re-grant it.

GRANT SELECT ON mysql.* TO 'your_user'@'your_host';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

4

If global privileges are very restrictive, consider if they need to be loosened for specific operations, but do so cautiously. Granting `ALL PRIVILEGES` on `mysql.*` is generally not recommended for security reasons.

5

After making adjustments, ask the user to retry the operation.

3. Verify MySQL Version and System Table Structure advanced

In rare cases, issues might arise from unexpected changes or incompatibilities with system table access.

1

Determine the exact MySQL version you are running.

SELECT VERSION();

2

Consult the MySQL documentation for your specific version to understand the access controls and permissions for system tables. System table access can vary between major versions.

3

If you suspect the system tables themselves might be corrupted or have been modified incorrectly, consider using `mysql_upgrade` (if applicable and done carefully) or restoring from a known good backup. This is a more drastic measure.

sudo mysql_upgrade -u root -p

4

Ensure that no custom configurations or third-party tools are interfering with normal system table access.

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Related Errors

5 related errors

MySQL Error 3554: System Table Access Denied