CVE-2013-5786 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.12 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-5786 represents a critical weakness in Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.12 and earlier, specifically within the InnoDB storage engine component. This flaw exists in the database management system's handling of certain operations and can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers to compromise system availability. The unspecified nature of the exact vector makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it may encompass multiple attack pathways that could potentially destabilize database operations. The InnoDB storage engine, which is the default storage engine for MySQL since version 5.5, handles transactional operations and provides advanced features like foreign key constraints, row-level locking, and crash recovery mechanisms. When compromised, these core database functionalities can be severely impacted, leading to service disruption and potential data unavailability. The vulnerability affects systems where MySQL is deployed with InnoDB as the primary storage engine, which represents the vast majority of production MySQL installations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access to the MySQL server, meaning that an attacker must possess valid credentials to attempt the attack. This authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to fully unauthenticated exploits but does not eliminate the risk entirely, as compromised credentials are a common vector in security breaches. The impact on system availability stems from the nature of InnoDB's internal operations, which could be disrupted through specific sequences of database operations that trigger memory corruption, resource exhaustion, or deadlock conditions. The vulnerability may manifest through various attack vectors including but not limited to malformed queries, concurrent transaction handling, or specific index operations that cause the storage engine to enter an inconsistent state. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in the storage of data and memory management, and could potentially map to ATT&CK techniques involving resource exhaustion or service disruption. The attack may not necessarily result in data compromise but rather in denial of service conditions that can severely impact business operations and database availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-5786 extends beyond immediate service disruption to encompass broader organizational risks including potential data loss, extended downtime, and reputational damage. Organizations relying on MySQL databases for critical applications face significant operational challenges when this vulnerability is exploited, as database availability directly impacts application functionality and user access. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where high availability and continuous operation are required, such as e-commerce platforms, financial services, and enterprise resource planning systems. Attackers could leverage this weakness to perform sustained availability attacks, potentially causing cascading failures in applications that depend on MySQL for data persistence. The vulnerability's presence in MySQL 5.6.12 and earlier versions means that organizations running these older releases are at risk, particularly those that have not implemented proper patch management processes or have delayed updates due to compatibility concerns. Recovery from such an attack may require extensive database restoration procedures, system restarts, and potentially manual intervention to restore database consistency. The financial impact includes not only immediate downtime costs but also potential regulatory fines, customer compensation, and long-term reputation damage. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader cybersecurity risk assessment and ensure that their incident response plans include procedures for handling database availability attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing proper access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions that can detect unusual database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on InnoDB-related operations and transaction handling.