CVE-2012-2102 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL 5.1.x before 5.1.62 and 5.5.x before 5.5.22 allows remote authenticated users to cause a denial of service (assertion failure and mysqld abort) by deleting a record and using HANDLER READ NEXT.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2102 represents a critical denial of service flaw affecting MySQL database systems across multiple versions. This vulnerability specifically impacts MySQL 5.1.x versions prior to 5.1.62 and MySQL 5.5.x versions prior to 5.5.22, where authenticated remote attackers can exploit a flaw in the database engine's handling of record operations. The vulnerability stems from an assertion failure that occurs when specific database operations are performed in sequence, leading to the complete termination of the mysqld process and subsequent service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a specific sequence of database operations that triggers an internal assertion check failure within the MySQL server. When an authenticated user performs a record deletion followed by a HANDLER READ NEXT operation, the database engine encounters a condition that violates internal consistency checks. This assertion failure represents a fundamental flaw in the database server's error handling mechanisms, where the system cannot properly manage the state transition between record deletion and subsequent read operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-119 as a buffer overflow or memory access violation, specifically involving improper handling of database record states during concurrent operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise database availability and integrity. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the mysqld process to abort unexpectedly, requiring manual intervention to restart the database service. This can result in significant downtime for applications dependent on the affected MySQL instance, potentially affecting business operations and data access. The remote nature of the attack means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where database servers are exposed to external networks.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of their MySQL installations to versions 5.1.62 or later for 5.1.x releases, and 5.5.22 or later for 5.5.x releases. The patch addresses the underlying assertion failure by implementing proper state management during record deletion and read operations, ensuring that database transactions maintain consistency even when executed in the specific sequence that triggers the vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to this vulnerability, particularly in environments where database servers are accessible from untrusted networks. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unexpected mysqld process terminations as potential indicators of exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation and state management can lead to system-wide availability failures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of comprehensive testing of database engine operations under various concurrent access scenarios to prevent exploitation of internal consistency checks that should not result in system termination.