Raised when a user without the SUPER privilege attempts to access, configure, or read the MySQL enterprise audit log.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_SUPER_PRIVILEGE_REQUIRED appears when a MySQL user lacking the SUPER privilege tries to manage the audit log. Grant SUPER (or the mysql_audit_admin role in 8.0+) or run the statement as a privileged account to resolve the error.
ER_AUDIT_LOG_SUPER_PRIVILEGE_REQUIRED
MySQL raises error 3212 when a statement that reads or configures the audit log is executed by an account that does not hold the SUPER privilege (or an equivalent role). The server blocks the operation and returns SQLSTATE HY000, preventing unprivileged users from accessing sensitive logging information.
The error code was introduced in MySQL 5.7.22 alongside the enhanced enterprise audit plug-in. It remains present in all 8.0 releases and Percona/MariaDB forks that retain audit-log features.
The primary trigger is executing audit log statements such as SHOW AUDIT LOG STATUS, FLUSH AUDIT LOGS, or audit_log_read() UDFs with a user lacking SUPER. MySQL performs an early privilege check before the statement executes and raises error 3212.
The error also appears when an application‐level account inherits insufficient privileges after an upgrade or when SUPER was revoked as part of a security hardening exercise. Replication users and CI/CD pipelines often surface the failure first.
Grant the missing privilege to the account that needs audit log access. In 5.7, use GRANT SUPER ON *.* TO 'user'@'host'; and flush privileges. In 8.0, MySQL recommends granting the dedicated mysql_audit_admin role instead, which avoids blanket SUPER rights.
If permanent privilege elevation is undesirable, run the required audit log statement via a privileged maintenance account, or wrap it in a stored procedure signed with DEFINER='root'@'localhost' that has SUPER.
Automated backup scripts that call FLUSH AUDIT LOGS after rotation often fail after an account audit. Update the maintenance user to own mysql_audit_admin.
Third-party monitoring tools may query audit_log filter tables. Grant SELECT on mysql.audit_log_filter plus the mysql_audit_viewer role to satisfy read-only needs without handing out SUPER.
Grant the least privilege: use mysql_audit_admin and mysql_audit_viewer roles in 8.0 rather than SUPER. Keep SUPER limited to DBA break-glass accounts.
Store privilege grants in version-controlled Galaxy queries. Galaxy lets teams endorse these grants so future audits preserve the correct roles and stop accidental revokes.
Access denied error 1227 appears when other privileges are missing. Error 1142 surfaces for table-level operations. Error 3587 indicates an invalid audit log read filter. Fixes involve granting the specific privilege or role listed in the message.
The account executing FLUSH AUDIT LOGS, SHOW AUDIT LOG STATUS, or audit_log_read UDF lacks SUPER, triggering error 3212.
Security reviews often remove SUPER from service accounts, and existing scripts start failing immediately.
After upgrading, SUPER may be replaced by dedicated roles. Scripts still relying on SUPER lose access until the new roles are granted.
Stored procedures signed by a definer without SUPER will fail when they call audit log statements, propagating the error to callers.
General privilege error that appears for many SUPER-protected statements.
Occurs when a user selects from mysql system tables without SELECT privilege.
Raised by audit_log_read() when the max read position is invalid or permissions are missing.
Appears when creating a routine that needs SUPER due to certain characteristics.
No. In MySQL 8.0 you can grant the mysql_audit_admin role, which limits privileges to audit tasks only.
Granting SUPER broadly is risky. Use dedicated DBA or automation accounts and restrict login sources to reduce attack surface.
Replication threads rarely need audit log access. Error 3212 does not stop replication unless you explicitly call audit log statements in replicated code.
Galaxy centralizes privilege-grant scripts, making it easy to audit and endorse the correct roles. Teams can review and version changes before deployment.
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