CVE-2012-0487 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-2012-0486, 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-2012-0487 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.x implementations. This unspecified flaw affects remote authenticated users who can exploit it to disrupt service availability without direct access to the underlying system infrastructure. The vulnerability operates through unknown vectors that distinguish it from several closely related issues within the same timeframe, specifically excluding CVE-2012-0117, CVE-2012-0486, CVE-2012-0488, CVE-2012-0489, CVE-2012-0491, CVE-2012-0493, and CVE-2012-0495, indicating that while multiple vulnerabilities exist in the MySQL Server component, this particular flaw manifests through distinct attack pathways. The vulnerability's classification as an availability impact means that successful exploitation could result in denial of service conditions where legitimate users cannot access database services, potentially causing business disruption and data accessibility issues for organizations relying on MySQL Server infrastructure. This type of vulnerability particularly affects database server implementations where maintaining continuous availability is critical for business operations, as even brief service interruptions can cascade into larger operational problems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability resides within the MySQL Server component's handling of authenticated user requests, where the specific vector remains undisclosed in the initial CVE description. However, given the context of MySQL Server 5.5.x and the fact that it affects authenticated users, this vulnerability likely involves improper handling of connection management, query processing, or resource allocation mechanisms. The unspecified nature of the attack vector suggests that the flaw could potentially manifest through multiple pathways within the server's processing logic, making it particularly challenging to defend against through conventional means. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of availability issues aligns with common attack patterns in database systems where resource exhaustion, stack overflows, or improper state management can lead to service disruption. This type of vulnerability often requires deep understanding of the server's internal processing mechanisms and can be particularly dangerous because it allows authenticated users to cause harm, indicating that the flaw may involve privilege escalation or improper access control within the server's authentication and authorization frameworks.
From an operational impact perspective, CVE-2012-0487 presents a substantial risk to database availability and business continuity for organizations utilizing Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.x. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access to the database server infrastructure, making it particularly concerning for organizations with exposed database services. The ability of authenticated users to affect availability suggests that even legitimate users with appropriate credentials could potentially be exploited or compromised to carry out denial of service attacks, creating additional security concerns around credential management and user access controls. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect data integrity and availability, potentially causing cascading failures in applications that depend on database connectivity. Organizations may experience significant downtime, loss of productivity, and potential revenue impacts when this vulnerability is exploited, particularly in mission-critical environments where database availability is essential for business operations. The unspecified nature of the vector also means that defensive measures may be difficult to implement effectively without comprehensive understanding of the underlying flaw.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0487 should focus on immediate patch management and network segmentation approaches. Organizations should prioritize applying Oracle's security patches and updates for MySQL Server 5.5.x as soon as they become available, as these updates will contain the necessary fixes for the vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the number of authenticated users with access to database services, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database access or connection behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability aligns with common defensive strategies outlined in the mitre attack framework, particularly concerning the use of access control and resource management techniques. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can monitor for patterns consistent with denial of service attacks against database services. Additionally, implementing proper user authentication and authorization controls, including regular credential rotation and access reviews, can help reduce the risk of legitimate users being compromised and used to exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure that the updates do not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications or database configurations.