CVE-2012-0486 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.5.x allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors, a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-0117, CVE-2012-0487, CVE-2012-0488, CVE-2012-0489, CVE-2012-0491, CVE-2012-0493, and CVE-2012-0495.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/23/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0486 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.x installations, specifically targeting the database server component through authenticated remote attack vectors. This flaw operates outside the scope of several other known vulnerabilities in the same timeframe, indicating a distinct attack surface that requires separate mitigation strategies. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability's exact mechanism suggests it may involve complex interactions within the server's internal processing logic or resource management systems that could be exploited by attackers with valid credentials to disrupt service availability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access, meaning that attackers must first establish valid credentials to target the system. This authentication requirement places the vulnerability in the context of privilege escalation scenarios or credential compromise attacks rather than purely network-based exploitation. The impact manifests as availability disruption, which typically involves denial-of-service conditions that can render database services inaccessible to legitimate users. Such vulnerabilities often leverage resource exhaustion, memory corruption, or process termination mechanisms that cause the database server to become unresponsive or crash entirely.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL 5.5.x databases, particularly in environments where service availability is critical for business operations. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any network location where the attacker has valid authentication credentials, potentially including compromised user accounts or stolen credentials from other sources. Organizations may experience service interruptions that affect database connectivity, application performance, and overall system reliability, leading to potential financial losses and operational disruptions.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to the broader ATT&CK framework, particularly under the privilege escalation and defense evasion tactics where attackers might leverage authenticated access to cause availability disruptions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE categories related to resource management and availability, specifically CWE-400 for unspecified resource management issues and CWE-119 for memory corruption that could affect service availability. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual patterns in database service behavior, maintain current patch management procedures, and ensure proper access controls and credential management practices to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, network segmentation and intrusion detection systems can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2012-0486 primarily involves applying the official Oracle security patches and updates released to address this specific vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict access controls, monitor database server logs for unusual activity patterns, and conduct regular security assessments to identify potential credential compromise scenarios. Given that this vulnerability affects the core database server functionality, system administrators should maintain detailed service availability monitoring and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle database service disruptions. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing can help identify similar issues within the database infrastructure that may not be immediately apparent through standard security scanning tools.