CVE-2012-1690 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.61 and earlier, and 5.5.21 and earlier, allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1690 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.1.61 and earlier, as well as 5.5.21 and earlier. This issue represents a significant security concern as it allows remote authenticated attackers to potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified vectors connected to the Server Optimizer module. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified means that the exact technical mechanism remains undocumented in the initial disclosure, though its impact on system availability indicates a serious threat to database operations.
The Server Optimizer component in MySQL plays a crucial role in query execution planning and performance tuning by analyzing SQL statements and determining the most efficient execution paths. When this optimizer is compromised through the vulnerability, it can lead to denial of service conditions that affect database availability. The authenticated nature of the attack means that an attacker must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, though this requirement does not mitigate the severity of the potential impact on system operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory corruption issues, and may relate to CWE-400 which covers resource exhaustion conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database availability is fundamental to business operations in virtually all organizations relying on MySQL. When an authenticated user can cause availability issues through the optimizer, it creates a scenario where legitimate database users may be unable to access critical business data or perform essential operations. The attack vector through the Server Optimizer suggests that carefully crafted SQL queries or database operations could trigger system instability, potentially leading to process crashes, memory exhaustion, or other conditions that prevent normal database functionality. This type of vulnerability particularly affects systems where database performance optimization is critical and where multiple concurrent users operate within the same database environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1690 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest available versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users who can interact with database systems, thereby reducing the attack surface. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual database behavior or performance degradation that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, database administrators should regularly review and audit database user permissions, ensuring that only necessary accounts have authentication credentials that could potentially exploit this vulnerability. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patched systems to ensure that the vulnerability is fully resolved without introducing new compatibility issues. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be categorized under T1499 which covers resource exhaustion techniques, and T1566 which addresses credential harvesting and exploitation methods.