CVE-2012-5627 in MariaDB
Summary
by MITRE
Oracle MySQL and MariaDB 5.5.x before 5.5.29, 5.3.x before 5.3.12, and 5.2.x before 5.2.14 does not modify the salt during multiple executions of the change_user command within the same connection which makes it easier for remote authenticated users to conduct brute force password guessing attacks.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5627 affects database systems that utilize Oracle MySQL and MariaDB versions prior to specific patch releases. This security flaw resides in the authentication mechanism of these database platforms and specifically impacts versions 5.5.x before 5.5.29, 5.3.x before 5.3.12, and 5.2.x before 5.2.14. The core issue stems from the improper handling of cryptographic salts during authentication processes, creating a significant weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability represents a critical flaw in the password verification system that undermines the security assurances typically provided by modern database authentication mechanisms.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in how the change_user command operates within database connections. When a user executes the change_user command multiple times within the same connection session, the system fails to properly regenerate or modify the cryptographic salt value that is used during password verification. This salt is a critical component in password hashing algorithms as it prevents attackers from using precomputed rainbow tables to reverse engineer passwords. The failure to update the salt means that the same cryptographic parameters are reused across multiple authentication attempts, significantly reducing the computational complexity required for brute force attacks. This behavior directly violates security principles outlined in CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple password guessing attacks, creating a substantial risk for database environments that rely on strong authentication. Remote authenticated users who have access to the database system can exploit this weakness to systematically attempt password guesses against user accounts, dramatically reducing the time required to compromise credentials. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform targeted brute force attacks on database user accounts, potentially gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and system resources. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within legitimate database connection contexts, making it difficult to detect through standard network monitoring. According to ATT&CK framework category T1110, this vulnerability enables credential access techniques that can be used for lateral movement and privilege escalation within database environments.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management processes to upgrade to the affected versions that contain the necessary security fixes. The recommended mitigation strategy involves applying the vendor-provided patches that address the salt handling mechanism within the change_user command implementation. Additionally, security administrators should implement additional protective measures such as account lockout policies, stronger password requirements, and monitoring for unusual authentication patterns. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other database components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper cryptographic implementation and highlights the need for thorough security testing of authentication mechanisms in database systems.