CVE-2012-0119 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-2012-0115, 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-2012-0119 represents a significant security concern within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.1.x and 5.5.x, specifically targeting the server component's availability. This issue falls under the broader category of denial of service vulnerabilities that can compromise system integrity and operational continuity. The vulnerability is classified as unspecified, indicating that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, which is common in cases where the full exploitation details are not publicly available or have not been fully analyzed by security researchers.
The technical flaw manifests through unknown vectors that allow remote authenticated users to impact system availability, suggesting that an attacker with valid credentials can potentially disrupt database services. This characteristic aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes issues related to resource management and availability. The vulnerability operates at the server level, meaning that the compromise affects the core database functionality rather than client-side components. The fact that this vulnerability is distinct from several other CVEs including CVE-2012-0112, CVE-2012-0115, CVE-2012-0120, CVE-2012-0485, and CVE-2012-0492 indicates that it represents a unique code path or subsystem within MySQL that has been exposed to unauthorized availability disruption.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can severely affect database availability and system reliability, potentially causing service interruptions that may impact business operations. The remote authenticated nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database access is granted to multiple users. The attack vector implies that legitimate users with appropriate credentials could be exploited to cause system instability, which could be particularly concerning in multi-tenant environments or systems where user access is tightly controlled.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption, as availability attacks can be used as part of broader exploitation strategies or can mask other attacks. This vulnerability could be leveraged by attackers to create conditions that facilitate further compromise of the database system. The impact on availability can be measured in terms of system downtime, data access interruptions, and potential cascading effects on applications that depend on MySQL services. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions should consider this vulnerability as part of their overall risk assessment, particularly in environments where database availability is critical to business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0119 should include immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest security releases provided by Oracle. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential attack surface, ensuring that database access is restricted to authorized users only. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database access that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under the availability disruption category suggests that implementing redundant systems and failover mechanisms could provide additional protection against service interruptions. Security teams should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential availability-related attacks that could affect database infrastructure.