CVE-2012-0491 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-2012-0487, CVE-2012-0488, CVE-2012-0489, CVE-2012-0493, and CVE-2012-0495.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0491 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.x implementations. This unspecified flaw resides within the MySQL Server component and specifically targets remote authenticated users who can potentially disrupt system availability through mechanisms not covered by other documented vulnerabilities in the same timeframe. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability rather than confidentiality or integrity indicates that attackers can compromise system uptime and service delivery capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the MySQL Server's handling of authenticated connections and processing of specific requests that can trigger system instability or resource exhaustion. While the exact technical vector remains unspecified in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically involve improper input validation, memory management issues, or resource handling problems that can be exploited through carefully crafted authenticated requests. The fact that this vulnerability differs from CVE-2012-0117, CVE-2012-0486, CVE-2012-0487, CVE-2012-0488, CVE-2012-0489, CVE-2012-0493, and CVE-2012-0495 suggests it operates through a distinct exploitation pathway within the MySQL codebase, potentially involving different subsystems or processing logic.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to database availability and business continuity. Remote authenticated users who can establish connections to MySQL servers running affected versions can potentially cause service disruption, system crashes, or denial of service conditions that impact database accessibility. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first obtain legitimate credentials, but this requirement does not significantly reduce the threat level given that many organizations maintain database access for legitimate administrative and application purposes. The vulnerability's potential to affect availability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory handling, and may relate to CWE-400, concerning resource exhaustion vulnerabilities that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across all MySQL Server 5.5.x installations where remote authenticated access is permitted. Organizations running these versions face potential disruption to database services, which can cascade into application failures and business impact. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated issue means that attackers can exploit it from outside the organization's network perimeter, provided they have valid login credentials. This characteristic places additional emphasis on credential security and access control measures, as highlighted in the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access and defense evasion techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0491 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to the latest available versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of database servers to unauthorized users. Monitoring for unusual database activity patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's nature suggests that proper input validation and resource management practices should be reviewed throughout the database infrastructure, particularly focusing on connection handling and query processing mechanisms. Additionally, implementing robust backup and recovery procedures ensures that organizations can quickly restore service if exploitation occurs, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify other potential vulnerabilities in the database ecosystem.