CVE-2011-2531 in Prosody
Summary
by MITRE
Prosody 0.8.x before 0.8.1, when MySQL is used, assigns an incorrect data type to the value column in certain tables, which might allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (data truncation) by sending a large amount of data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/09/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2531 affects Prosody 0.8.x versions prior to 0.8.1 when the application utilizes MySQL as its database backend. This issue represents a classic database schema misconfiguration that can lead to significant operational disruptions. The flaw manifests in the improper assignment of data types to the value column within specific database tables, creating a condition where data truncation occurs when large data payloads are processed by the system.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a database schema design error where the value column is not properly configured to handle the expected data size. When Prosody processes data through its MySQL backend, the incorrect data type assignment results in automatic truncation of data that exceeds the allocated storage capacity. This misconfiguration creates a scenario where legitimate data operations can inadvertently trigger data loss or corruption, particularly when handling large data payloads. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of database management and application logic, where the application layer fails to account for the actual data requirements of the database schema.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk for denial of service attacks that can be executed remotely by malicious actors. Attackers can exploit this weakness by sending large amounts of data to the affected Prosody server, causing automatic truncation that may result in data loss, application instability, or complete service unavailability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to cause system degradation without requiring authentication or elevated privileges, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services. The data truncation effect can also potentially corrupt application data integrity, leading to more severe consequences beyond simple service interruption.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-704 in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy, which classifies it as a weakness related to incorrect type handling in database schemas. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers the use of data manipulation to cause denial of service, and T1566.001, which involves the exploitation of vulnerabilities in remote services. The attack vector is particularly relevant to the broader category of input validation failures that can lead to resource exhaustion or data corruption in database systems. Organizations utilizing Prosody with MySQL should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where the application handles large volumes of data or where external network access is permitted. The remediation approach requires immediate patching to version 0.8.1 or later, along with database schema validation to ensure proper data type assignments and implementation of proper input validation mechanisms to prevent excessive data from overwhelming the system.
The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper database schema design and the potential for seemingly minor configuration errors to create significant security risks. It underscores the necessity of thorough testing and validation of database configurations, particularly when applications interact with external data sources or handle variable data sizes. Organizations should implement regular database schema reviews and maintain up-to-date patch management procedures to address such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.