What are common pitfalls with revoking privileges?

Revoking privileges in MySQL is a critical operation that needs to be performed with caution. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:

  1. Revoking from the wrong user: Double-check the username and host from which you're revoking privileges. Ensure you are targeting the correct account to avoid unintentional loss of access.
  2. Not using the correct privilege type: Ensure you are aware of the specific privileges you are revoking, whether they are global, database-specific, or table-specific.
  3. Failing to check existing grants: Before revoking privileges, it's advisable to review the existing grants for the user to understand what will be affected.
  4. Order of operations: Revoking privileges in the wrong order can lead to complications, especially in cases of cascading privileges.
  5. Assuming privileges are instantly revoked: Sometimes there may be a delay in the propagation of the change, especially in larger systems.

Here is an example of how to properly revoke privileges in MySQL:

REVOKE SELECT, INSERT ON database_name.* FROM 'username'@'host';

MySQL revoke privileges database security user management