CVE-2013-3796 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.6.11 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 • 05/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-3796 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL versions 5.6.11 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw that impacts system availability through unspecified vectors related to the Server Optimizer module. This issue affects remote authenticated users who can exploit the vulnerability to disrupt service availability, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that compromise the operational integrity of database systems relying on affected MySQL versions.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses within the Server Optimizer subsystem of MySQL, which is responsible for query optimization and execution planning. The unspecified vectors suggest that the flaw may manifest through multiple attack paths or conditions within the optimizer logic that can be triggered by maliciously crafted SQL queries or database operations. The fact that this affects authenticated users indicates that attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, though the impact remains significant as it can lead to complete service disruption.
From an operational perspective, the vulnerability poses substantial risks to database availability and system reliability. When exploited, the flaw can cause MySQL server processes to crash or become unresponsive, resulting in service outages that can affect applications dependent on database connectivity. This represents a critical concern for enterprise environments where database uptime is essential for business operations, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions that may require system restarts or manual intervention to resolve.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can potentially affect database integrity and data availability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions may experience cascading failures in applications that depend on database services, leading to broader system impacts. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from external network locations, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database servers are accessible over networks.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under service availability compromise techniques, where adversaries target system components to disrupt operations. The CWE classification for such vulnerabilities typically falls under categories related to resource management failures or logic flaws in system components. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability exists in widely deployed MySQL versions and represents a significant risk to database security posture.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of Oracle's security patches for MySQL 5.6.12 and later versions, which address the optimizer-related vulnerability. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit authentication access to database systems, while monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect anomalous database behavior that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in database infrastructure components. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and implementing comprehensive database security management practices to prevent exploitation of similar optimizer-related flaws.