CVE-2012-3150 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.64 and earlier, and 5.5.26 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 • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3150 represents a critical weakness within the MySQL Server component that affects multiple versions including MySQL 5.1.64 and earlier, as well as 5.5.26 and earlier releases. This issue falls under the category of availability impact, meaning that malicious actors can potentially disrupt service availability rather than directly compromising data integrity or confidentiality. The vulnerability is specifically tied to the Server Optimizer functionality which is a core component responsible for query optimization and execution planning within the database management system. The unspecified nature of the exact vector means that the precise method of exploitation remains partially unclear, though the classification as a remote authenticated attack indicates that attackers must possess valid credentials to exploit this weakness, reducing the attack surface but not eliminating the risk entirely.
The technical flaw manifests within the MySQL Server's optimizer module where processing certain query structures or combinations of operations can trigger unexpected behavior leading to system instability or complete service disruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because the optimizer is invoked during routine database operations, meaning that a successful exploitation could occur during normal operational hours without requiring special conditions or timing. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory corruption issues, and potentially CWE-400 which covers resource exhaustion scenarios. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for database environments where availability is paramount, especially in mission-critical applications where database downtime can result in substantial financial losses and operational disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3150 extends beyond simple service interruption as it can potentially cause complete database server crashes or require manual restart procedures that may result in data loss or inconsistency. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability can perform denial-of-service attacks against MySQL servers by crafting specific queries that trigger the optimizer malfunction, leading to server processes becoming unresponsive or terminating unexpectedly. This scenario is particularly dangerous in environments where database servers are not monitored continuously or where automated failover mechanisms are not properly configured to handle such disruptions. The remote authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor needs valid login credentials, but this requirement is often overcome through credential theft, privilege escalation, or social engineering techniques that are commonly employed in sophisticated attack campaigns.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from Oracle which address the specific optimizer-related issues. The recommended approach involves upgrading to MySQL versions that have been patched against this vulnerability, specifically versions 5.1.65 and 5.5.27 or later where the underlying optimizer flaws have been corrected. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enhanced to limit the number of authenticated users with access to database servers, reducing the potential attack surface. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and intrusion detection systems can help identify unusual query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a defensive standpoint, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks, and potentially T1078 which addresses legitimate credentials usage. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of database server configurations to ensure that all known vulnerabilities have been addressed through appropriate patch management procedures.