CVE-2015-0391 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.38 and earlier, and 5.6.19 and earlier, allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to DDL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0391 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.38 and earlier, as well as 5.6.19 and earlier. This issue affects the database management system's handling of Data Definition Language operations, which are fundamental to database schema manipulation and management. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's ability to process certain DDL statements, creating potential for service disruption and availability compromise. As an authenticated remote attacker, an adversary with valid credentials could exploit this weakness to cause system instability and potentially deny legitimate users access to database resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the MySQL server's DDL processing mechanisms. When processing specific combinations of DDL statements, the server fails to properly validate user inputs or handle exceptional conditions, leading to potential crashes or resource exhaustion. This flaw operates at the database engine level where schema modifications are executed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate database administration operations. The vulnerability's classification as a remote authenticated issue means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, but rather valid login credentials to exploit the weakness, significantly expanding the attack surface.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0391 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database environments. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause MySQL server processes to terminate unexpectedly, leading to database unavailability for legitimate users and applications. The consequences include potential data access interruptions, application failures that depend on database connectivity, and extended downtime during recovery operations. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face risks to their business continuity and data availability, particularly in environments where database uptime is critical for operations. The vulnerability can be particularly devastating in high-availability configurations where database failures could trigger cascading effects throughout the application infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest supported versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all database instances are updated promptly. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the number of authenticated users with administrative privileges, reducing the potential attack surface. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual database activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which addresses improper input validation, and could be mapped to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in database environments, ensuring comprehensive protection against both known and emerging threats.