CVE-2012-0114 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.0.x, 5.1.x, and 5.5.x allows local users to affect confidentiality and integrity via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0114 represents a significant security weakness within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL versions 5.0.x, 5.1.x, and 5.5.x. This unspecified flaw exists at the core of the database management system's architecture, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to compromise the confidentiality and integrity of data stored within affected systems. The vulnerability's classification as local means that exploitation requires physical access or administrative privileges on the target system, though the implications remain severe due to the critical nature of database security.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and access control mechanisms within the MySQL Server implementation. While the exact vector remains unspecified, such weaknesses typically manifest through improper handling of database queries, insufficient privilege checks, or inadequate protection of sensitive system resources. The vulnerability's presence across multiple minor versions suggests a fundamental architectural issue rather than a specific code defect, indicating that the flaw may be rooted in core database engine functionality that affects various release branches simultaneously. This widespread impact across the MySQL 5.x series demonstrates the severity and persistence of the underlying security gap.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to organizations relying on MySQL databases, particularly in environments where local access controls may be insufficiently enforced. The potential for affecting both confidentiality and integrity means that attackers could not only access sensitive data but also modify or corrupt database contents, leading to data breaches, financial losses, and operational disruptions. The local nature of the vulnerability does not diminish its impact, as it can be exploited by malicious insiders or through compromised accounts with local system access, making it particularly dangerous in multi-tenant or shared hosting environments where privilege escalation might be possible.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches provided by Oracle, reviewing and strengthening local access controls, and implementing comprehensive monitoring for unauthorized system access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-125 (Out-of-bounds Read) categories, reflecting weaknesses in access control mechanisms and memory handling respectively. Additionally, this vulnerability may map to ATT&CK technique T1078 (Valid Accounts) and T1499 (Endpoint Detection and Response) as attackers might leverage local accounts to exploit the flaw while organizations need enhanced detection capabilities to identify such activities. The remediation process should include thorough security assessments of all MySQL installations, implementation of principle of least privilege access controls, and regular security audits to prevent exploitation through local access vectors.