CVE-2012-3167 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 Server Full Text Search.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3167 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.1.63 and earlier, as well as 5.5.25 and earlier. This issue represents a critical availability threat that impacts remote authenticated users who can exploit unspecified vectors related to Server Full Text Search functionality. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified means that the exact technical mechanisms enabling the attack were not fully detailed in the initial disclosure, creating uncertainty for security professionals attempting to assess risk and implement appropriate defenses.
The technical flaw manifests within the Full Text Search implementation of MySQL Server, which is a feature designed to provide advanced text searching capabilities for database content. When authenticated users interact with this functionality, they can potentially trigger conditions that lead to system instability or complete service disruption. The Full Text Search feature relies on complex indexing and query processing mechanisms that, when improperly handled, can result in resource exhaustion, memory corruption, or other conditions that compromise system availability. This vulnerability operates at the database engine level, making it particularly dangerous as it can affect the core operational integrity of MySQL installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3167 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially lead to complete system unavailability or forced restarts of MySQL services. Remote authenticated attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt database operations, causing cascading effects throughout applications that depend on MySQL for data persistence. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of service interruptions that can impact business operations, data accessibility, and overall system reliability. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to systems, making it particularly dangerous for publicly accessible database servers.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader database security frameworks and attack surface management. The issue aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under database attack techniques, particularly those involving availability disruption and service exhaustion. Organizations should prioritize patch management strategies to address this vulnerability, as it represents a known weakness in database software that can be exploited by threat actors. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-119, which covers "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer," suggesting potential memory handling issues within the Full Text Search implementation that could lead to resource exhaustion or system instability.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to versions that contain fixes for the Full Text Search functionality. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users who can reach database servers. Monitoring for unusual database activity patterns and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and establish robust incident response procedures for handling availability-related security incidents. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patches do not introduce compatibility issues with existing database applications and configurations.