CVE-2012-0112 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.x and 5.5.x allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0115, CVE-2012-0119, CVE-2012-0120, CVE-2012-0485, and CVE-2012-0492.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0112 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.1.x and 5.5.x that affects system availability through unspecified attack vectors. This vulnerability specifically targets the MySQL Server component and requires remote authenticated access, meaning that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit the flaw. Unlike other related vulnerabilities such as CVE-2012-0115, CVE-2012-0119, CVE-2012-0120, CVE-2012-0485, and CVE-2012-0492, this issue presents distinct characteristics that make it particularly concerning for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL deployments. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that the vulnerability could manifest through multiple pathways, potentially including resource exhaustion, memory corruption, or other mechanisms that could disrupt normal database operations.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates at the server level within MySQL's architecture, where authenticated users can leverage their privileges to execute malicious operations that compromise system availability. The fact that this vulnerability affects both MySQL 5.1.x and 5.5.x versions indicates a widespread issue that spans multiple release branches, suggesting that the underlying flaw may be deeply rooted in the server's core processing mechanisms. The requirement for remote authentication implies that the vulnerability likely involves database protocol handling or privilege escalation mechanisms that could be exploited over network connections. This characteristic places organizations at risk where database access controls may be insufficient or where compromised accounts could be leveraged by attackers to disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0112 extends beyond simple data integrity concerns to potentially cause complete service disruption for affected MySQL installations. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability, they can potentially cause database server crashes, process terminations, or resource exhaustion that leads to denial of service conditions. This availability impact is particularly severe because database servers typically serve as critical infrastructure components for applications, making any disruption to their operation potentially catastrophic for business operations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to availability issues indicates that it likely involves resource management problems or process control mechanisms that could be manipulated to cause system instability. Organizations relying on MySQL for mission-critical applications face significant risk from this vulnerability, as it could enable attackers to cause extended downtime or complete service outages.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0112 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to address the underlying vulnerability. System administrators must ensure that all MySQL 5.1.x and 5.5.x servers are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact of this vulnerability by restricting remote access to database servers and enforcing strict authentication protocols. Monitoring for unusual database activity or connection patterns may help detect exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular backups ensures that service restoration can occur quickly if an attack is successful. The vulnerability's nature suggests that implementing principle of least privilege access controls and regularly auditing database user permissions could further reduce the risk of exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems specifically configured to monitor for database protocol anomalies that might indicate attempted exploitation of this availability-focused vulnerability.