CVE-2015-0498 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.23 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Replication.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0498 resides within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.23 and earlier, representing a critical issue that impacts the availability of database systems through replication mechanisms. This unspecified flaw operates within the MySQL server's replication framework, which is essential for database synchronization and high availability configurations. The vulnerability specifically affects authenticated remote users who can leverage this weakness to disrupt service availability, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical for business operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the replication subsystem within MySQL Server, which is designed to maintain data consistency across multiple database instances. When an authenticated user sends specific replication commands or data sequences, the server's handling of these operations can lead to unexpected behavior that affects system availability. The exact vector of attack remains unspecified in the public description, but it typically involves manipulation of replication parameters, binary logs, or relay log processing mechanisms that can cause the replication thread to crash or become unresponsive. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of availability impact as defined by CWE-400, which encompasses weaknesses that can cause systems to become unavailable or unresponsive to legitimate users.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to database administrators and system operators who rely on MySQL replication for disaster recovery, load balancing, and data distribution. The ability for remote authenticated users to affect availability means that attackers with legitimate database credentials could potentially disrupt database services by exploiting replication mechanisms. This threat vector is particularly concerning because it allows attackers to cause denial of service conditions without requiring elevated privileges beyond standard database authentication. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure, especially in scenarios where replication is used for failover mechanisms or distributed database architectures.
The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent complexity of replication systems and their susceptibility to subtle flaws that can be exploited by attackers with legitimate access rights. It highlights the importance of proper input validation and error handling within database replication components, as well as the necessity of maintaining up-to-date database server versions to protect against known vulnerabilities. Organizations should consider implementing additional monitoring and access controls around replication-related operations to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves network denial of service attacks through replication mechanisms, making it a significant concern for security teams responsible for database protection and availability assurance. Given that MySQL replication is widely deployed across enterprise environments, the potential impact of this vulnerability extends to numerous organizations that may be unknowingly exposed to this risk.