CVE-2015-0409 in Communications Policy Management
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.21 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0409 represents a critical weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.21 and earlier, specifically impacting the database optimizer component. This issue affects remote authenticated users who can potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified attack vectors that are directly related to the optimizer functionality. The vulnerability falls under the broader category of availability impact, which is particularly concerning for database systems where maintaining uptime and service continuity is paramount for business operations.
The technical flaw resides within the MySQL Server's optimizer module, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. When an authenticated user submits specific query patterns or operations, the optimizer may encounter conditions that cause it to enter an unstable state or consume excessive system resources. This behavior can manifest as system hangs, process crashes, or resource exhaustion that ultimately leads to service disruption. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways exist through which the optimizer can be compromised, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to defend against comprehensively.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database environments that rely on MySQL Server 5.6.21 or earlier versions. The impact extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially complete service outages that can affect multiple applications dependent on the database backend. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable versions may experience extended downtime during attack scenarios, leading to potential data loss, service interruptions, and financial losses. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not require physical access to the system, making the vulnerability accessible from any network location where authenticated access is possible.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes issues related to resource exhaustion, and may also relate to CWE-691, which covers insufficient protection of automated control systems. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged through techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service attacks. The attack surface is particularly concerning because it targets a core database component that is essential for normal operations, making it difficult for organizations to isolate or contain the impact without immediate remediation.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including upgrading to patched versions of Oracle MySQL Server, as Oracle released security updates specifically addressing this vulnerability. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against both known and emerging threats in the database security landscape.