CVE-2012-3166 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.63 and earlier, and 5.5.25 and earlier, allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3166 represents a critical availability threat within the MySQL Server component that affects multiple versions of the popular open-source database system. This issue specifically impacts the InnoDB storage engine which serves as the default transactional storage engine for MySQL installations. The vulnerability exists in MySQL versions 5.1.63 and earlier, as well as 5.5.25 and earlier, making it a widespread concern across numerous production environments. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors suggests that attackers can exploit various pathways within the InnoDB subsystem to disrupt service availability, though the exact technical mechanisms remain undisclosed in the public CVE description.
The technical flaw resides within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of certain database operations that can lead to denial of service conditions. InnoDB is responsible for managing database transactions, row-level locking, and crash recovery mechanisms, making it a critical component for database stability. When authenticated users exploit this vulnerability, they can potentially trigger conditions that cause the MySQL server process to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly. The attack requires authentication credentials, which limits the scope to authorized users who have database access privileges, but this does not diminish the severity of impact as these users typically possess sufficient permissions to cause significant disruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3166 extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise entire database infrastructure availability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face risks of extended downtime, data access interruptions, and potential cascading failures in applications dependent on database connectivity. The vulnerability can be particularly damaging in production environments where database availability is critical for business operations, potentially leading to financial losses, service degradation, and reputational damage. The authenticated nature of the attack means that insider threats or compromised accounts pose significant risks, as attackers with legitimate access can exploit this weakness to cause service disruption.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to mitigate this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation involves upgrading to MySQL versions that have addressed the InnoDB availability issues, typically versions 5.1.64 and 5.5.26 or later. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Monitoring for unusual database activity patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks. Regular vulnerability assessments and maintaining updated security patches remain essential practices for protecting database infrastructure against similar threats.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of database security maintenance and the potential for authenticated users to cause significant availability disruptions. Organizations should establish robust patch management processes and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. The incident underscores the need for comprehensive security monitoring and response capabilities to detect and mitigate database-related threats effectively. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even authenticated access can pose substantial risks when combined with known weaknesses in database management systems, requiring organizations to maintain heightened security awareness and proactive defense measures.