CVE-2012-0115 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-2012-0112, CVE-2012-0119, CVE-2012-0120, CVE-2012-0485, and CVE-2012-0492.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0115 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.1.x and 5.5.x that specifically targets the availability aspect of the database system. This issue falls under the broader category of denial of service vulnerabilities where authenticated remote attackers can exploit unspecified vectors to compromise system availability. Unlike other vulnerabilities in the same timeframe such as CVE-2012-0112, CVE-2012-0119, CVE-2012-0120, CVE-2012-0485, and CVE-2012-0492, this particular weakness demonstrates distinct characteristics that make it particularly concerning for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL deployments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the MySQL Server component's handling of certain authenticated connections or specific database operations that can be manipulated by remote users who have already established valid credentials. This authentication requirement suggests that the flaw may not be immediately exploitable by anonymous attackers but represents a serious risk when legitimate users or compromised accounts are involved. The unspecified vectors indicate that the exact mechanism through which the availability is affected remains undisclosed, which complicates the development of precise defensive measures and requires comprehensive monitoring of system behavior for potential exploitation patterns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to database availability and system reliability in production environments. When exploited, the vulnerability can result in service disruption, database connection failures, or complete system unavailability that affects business operations and data accessibility. The remote nature of the attack means that compromised systems can be targeted from external networks without requiring physical access, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with exposed database servers. Organizations relying on MySQL 5.1.x and 5.5.x for critical applications face potential downtime and service interruptions that can have cascading effects throughout their IT infrastructure.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as part of the broader attack surface that aligns with ATT&CK framework techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service operations. The vulnerability's classification under CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would likely fall within categories related to resource management or availability flaws, though the specific weakness enumeration requires further analysis. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the relevant Oracle security patches, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and establishing monitoring procedures to detect anomalous connection patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, maintaining up-to-date inventory of all MySQL installations and ensuring proper access controls and authentication mechanisms remain critical defensive measures against this and similar threats.
The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive security patch management programs and regular vulnerability assessments for database systems. Given that this issue affects widely deployed versions of MySQL, organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported versions or applying the appropriate security fixes as provided by Oracle. Network-level controls including firewall rules, intrusion detection systems, and access control lists should be reviewed and strengthened to minimize the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. Regular security audits and penetration testing of database environments can help identify potential weaknesses that may be exploited in conjunction with vulnerabilities like CVE-2012-0115, ensuring that organizations maintain robust defenses against evolving threat landscapes.