A system variable can have a global value that affects server operation as a whole, a session value that affects only the current session, or both:

This section describes the privileges required for operations that assign values to system variables at runtime. This includes operations that affect runtime values, and operations that persist values.

To set a global system variable, use a SET statement with the appropriate keyword. These privileges apply:

To remove a persisted global system variable from the mysqld-auto.cnf file, use the RESET PERSIST statement. These privileges apply:

If a global system variable has any exceptions to the preceding privilege requirements, the variable description indicates those exceptions. Examples include default_table_encryption and mandatory_roles, which require additional privileges. These additional privileges apply to operations that set the global runtime value, but not operations that persist the value.

To set a session system variable runtime value, use the SET SESSION statement. In contrast to setting global runtime values, setting session runtime values normally requires no special privileges and can be done by any user to affect the current session. For some system variables, setting the session value may have effects outside the current session and thus is a restricted operation that can be done only by users who have a special privilege:

If a session system variable is restricted, the variable description indicates that restriction. Examples include binlog_format and sql_log_bin. Setting the session value of these variables affects binary logging for the current session, but may also have wider implications for the integrity of server replication and backups.

SESSION_VARIABLES_ADMIN enables administrators to minimize the privilege footprint of users who may previously have been granted SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN or SUPER for the purpose of enabling them to modify restricted session system variables. Suppose that an administrator has created the following role to confer the ability to set restricted session system variables:

CREATE ROLE set_session_sysvars;
GRANT SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN ON *.* TO set_session_sysvars;

Any user granted the set_session_sysvars role (and who has that role active) is able to set restricted session system variables. However, that user is also able to set global system variables, which may be undesirable.

By modifying the role to have SESSION_VARIABLES_ADMIN instead of SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN, the role privileges can be reduced to the ability to set restricted session system variables and nothing else. To modify the role, use these statements:

GRANT SESSION_VARIABLES_ADMIN ON *.* TO set_session_sysvars;
REVOKE SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN ON *.* FROM set_session_sysvars;

Modifying the role has an immediate effect: Any account granted the set_session_sysvars role no longer has SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN and is not able to set global system variables without being granted that ability explicitly. A similar GRANT/REVOKE sequence can be applied to any account that was granted SYSTEM_VARIABLES_ADMIN directly rather than by means of a role.