CVE-2015-0439 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 Server : InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0439 represents a critical weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.22 and earlier, specifically impacting the InnoDB storage engine component. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to compromise system availability, though the exact technical mechanisms remain undisclosed. The vulnerability resides within the Server : InnoDB subsystem, indicating that the flaw originates from the core database engine's transactional storage capabilities. Such a weakness poses significant operational risks as it allows attackers who have already established authentication credentials to potentially disrupt database services and compromise the overall availability of critical business applications dependent on MySQL infrastructure.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of availability-focused attacks that target database engine stability rather than direct data manipulation or privilege escalation. The InnoDB storage engine, being MySQL's default transactional storage engine, handles complex database operations including concurrent transactions, row-level locking, and crash recovery mechanisms. When compromised through this vulnerability, the engine's ability to maintain consistent database operations and service availability becomes compromised, potentially leading to complete service outages. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory corruption, resource exhaustion, or thread management issues that can cause database processes to crash or become unresponsive, thereby affecting the availability of database services for legitimate users.
From an operational perspective, the impact of CVE-2015-0439 extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects the fundamental reliability of database systems that many enterprise applications depend upon. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential business continuity risks, particularly in environments where database availability is critical for operations, financial transactions, or customer-facing applications. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to systems, and the authenticated requirement suggests that even legitimate users with compromised credentials could potentially exploit this weakness. This scenario aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the availability impact category, where adversaries target system resources to prevent legitimate users from accessing services. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date database systems and implementing proper access controls to limit potential attack surfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0439 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to version 5.6.23 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be enforced to limit authentication credentials exposure and reduce the attack surface. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database infrastructure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following security best practices such as the principle of least privilege and regular security updates, which are fundamental to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and align with industry standards for database security management. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with database engine instability.