CVE-2012-1705 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.66 and earlier and 5.5.28 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 • 04/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1705 resides within the Server component of Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.1.66 and earlier, as well as 5.5.28 and earlier. This issue represents a significant security concern as it allows remote authenticated users to compromise the availability of the database service through unspecified vectors that are directly related to the Server Optimizer module. The Server Optimizer is a critical component responsible for query execution planning and optimization, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can potentially disrupt database operations and service availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the Server Optimizer's handling of certain query processing scenarios that can lead to resource exhaustion or system instability when exploited by authenticated attackers. While the exact technical vectors remain unspecified in the CVE description, the classification as an availability-focused vulnerability suggests that exploitation could result in denial of service conditions, system crashes, or resource depletion that prevents legitimate users from accessing database services. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of availability attacks that can be categorized as cwe-400, which encompasses unspecified resource management issues that can lead to system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to database administrators and system operators who rely on MySQL for critical business applications. The fact that remote authenticated access is sufficient to exploit this vulnerability means that attackers who have gained legitimate database credentials can potentially disrupt services without requiring physical access or additional privileges. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as database unavailability can cascade through entire application infrastructures, affecting business continuity and potentially leading to significant financial losses. This vulnerability aligns with attack techniques documented in the attack pattern taxonomy under the broader category of availability attacks that target database systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires only authenticated access to the MySQL server, which means that any user with valid database credentials could potentially trigger the availability impact. This characteristic significantly broadens the potential attack surface as many database environments have numerous legitimate users with varying levels of access. The vulnerability's presence in both the 5.1 and 5.5 release lines indicates that it was a persistent issue across multiple versions of the MySQL server software, making it particularly concerning for organizations with legacy systems or those that have not kept their database software up to date. Organizations should consider implementing comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate application of Oracle's security patches and updates, which would address the underlying optimizer implementation issues. Database administrators should also implement robust access controls and monitoring procedures to detect unauthorized or unusual database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database infrastructure. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous query patterns or resource usage that might be indicative of this type of availability attack. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping database software updated and maintaining comprehensive security monitoring procedures to protect against both known and unknown threats targeting database systems.