CVE-2015-0405 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.22 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to XA.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0405 affects Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.22 and earlier, specifically within the XA (eXtended Architecture) transaction handling component. This issue represents a significant security concern as it allows remote authenticated users to potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified vectors related to XA operations. The XA protocol is used for distributed transaction management, enabling coordination of transactions across multiple database systems or resources. When vulnerabilities exist within this critical infrastructure component, they can lead to service disruption and compromise the reliability of database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from weaknesses in how MySQL Server processes XA transaction requests, particularly in versions prior to 5.6.22. While the exact implementation details remain unspecified in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically involve improper handling of transaction states, memory management issues, or race conditions within the XA subsystem. The fact that this affects authenticated users suggests that attackers must first establish valid credentials to exploit the vulnerability, but once authenticated, they can leverage the flaw to impact system availability. This categorizes the vulnerability under CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory management, and potentially CWE-400, which covers resource exhaustion vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-0405 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of distributed transaction processing within MySQL environments. Organizations utilizing MySQL Server with XA transaction support may experience unexpected database server crashes, connection terminations, or complete service unavailability. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that rely heavily on distributed transactions, such as financial applications, e-commerce platforms, or enterprise resource planning systems where transaction consistency is critical. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any network location where valid credentials exist, making it a significant threat to database availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of Oracle MySQL Server, specifically versions beyond 5.6.22 where the XA-related issues have been addressed. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting access to MySQL servers to only authorized personnel and systems. Monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual transaction patterns or connection behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which involves network disruption and availability attacks, emphasizing the need for robust availability and resilience measures in database environments. Organizations should also consider implementing database firewalls and transaction monitoring tools to detect and prevent exploitation attempts while maintaining operational continuity.