CVE-2012-3173 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 01/25/2023
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 Plugin.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3173 represents a significant security weakness within the MySQL database server implementation that affects multiple versions of the software. This issue resides within the InnoDB storage engine plugin which serves as the default transactional storage engine for MySQL databases. The vulnerability specifically impacts MySQL Server versions 5.1.63 and earlier, as well as 5.5.25 and earlier, making it a widespread concern across numerous production environments that rely on these database versions for critical business operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an unspecified flaw within the InnoDB Plugin component that enables authenticated remote attackers to compromise the availability of the database service. While the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified in the public description, the classification as an availability-focused vulnerability suggests that attackers can potentially cause denial of service conditions that disrupt normal database operations. This type of vulnerability typically operates through mechanisms that can lead to system crashes, resource exhaustion, or other conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing database services. The fact that it requires authentication indicates that the attack vector involves exploiting legitimate user credentials rather than bypassing authentication entirely, which complicates the threat model but still represents a serious compromise.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face the risk of unauthorized users with valid credentials being able to cause database downtime, which could result in financial losses, service interruptions, and damage to customer relationships. The vulnerability's presence in both the 5.1 and 5.5 release lines means that a substantial number of database installations could be at risk, particularly in enterprise environments where legacy systems often persist for extended periods. The authentication requirement suggests that the vulnerability is more likely to be exploited by insiders or compromised accounts rather than external attackers, but this still represents a significant threat vector that organizations must address.
Security practitioners should approach this vulnerability with urgency given its potential for availability disruption in database systems that form the backbone of many applications and services. The remediation strategy should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement monitoring procedures to detect any unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around database connection and resource usage metrics. The vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the availability disruption category, specifically targeting database service availability through authenticated access. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) would require organizations to maintain current database software versions and implement proper access controls to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Organizations should also conduct thorough risk assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on the criticality of the databases involved in their operations.