CVE-2012-0113 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 confidentiality and availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0118.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0113 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.1.x and 5.5.x that affects authenticated remote attackers. This issue falls under the category of unspecified vulnerability, indicating that the specific technical details were not fully disclosed in the initial CVE description, though it is clearly distinct from CVE-2012-0118 which suggests a separate attack surface. The vulnerability impacts both confidentiality and availability aspects of the database system, making it particularly dangerous as it could potentially allow attackers to both access sensitive data and disrupt database operations. The fact that this vulnerability affects authenticated users indicates that attackers must first establish valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can exploit this weakness to compromise the system's integrity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability suggests potential issues within the MySQL Server's authentication mechanisms, access controls, or data handling processes. Given that it affects both confidentiality and availability, the flaw likely resides in core database operations that govern how data is processed, stored, and retrieved. This could manifest through various attack vectors including but not limited to privilege escalation, data corruption, or denial of service conditions. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly concerning as security teams cannot immediately determine the precise attack surface or develop targeted defensive measures without further analysis. This type of vulnerability often indicates deeper architectural weaknesses in the database server's security model that could potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL Server versions 5.1.x and 5.5.x, as authenticated users with legitimate access could potentially exploit this weakness to compromise sensitive information or disrupt database services. The impact on confidentiality means that attackers could gain unauthorized access to protected data, potentially including personally identifiable information, financial records, or proprietary business data. The availability impact suggests that attackers could cause service disruption or complete system unavailability, leading to business continuity issues and potential financial losses. Organizations using these older MySQL versions face significant exposure, particularly if they have not implemented proper access controls or monitoring mechanisms to detect unauthorized activities.
The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE categories related to security weaknesses in database systems and access control mechanisms, though the exact CWE mapping would require further investigation. This type of vulnerability is often categorized under attack patterns that involve privilege escalation or information disclosure in database environments. Security professionals should consider implementing network segmentation, monitoring authentication activities, and ensuring proper access controls are in place. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the importance of keeping database systems updated, as older versions like 5.1.x and 5.5.x are no longer supported and may contain multiple undiscovered security flaws. The recommended mitigation strategy includes immediate patching or upgrading to supported MySQL versions, implementing additional monitoring controls, and conducting thorough security assessments of database environments to identify similar vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts of this or similar vulnerabilities.