CVE-2015-0503 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 Server : Partition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0503 resides within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.23 and earlier, representing a critical weakness in the database management system's partitioning functionality. This unspecified vulnerability specifically affects the server component of MySQL and operates through authenticated remote attack vectors, meaning that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit the flaw. The vulnerability's impact is classified as availability-related, suggesting that successful exploitation could result in service disruption or denial of access to database resources. The affected area of the software is designated as Server : Partition, indicating that the issue stems from how MySQL handles partitioned tables and related operations within its storage engine architecture. This particular vulnerability demonstrates the complexity of database security where even seemingly routine operations like table partitioning can become attack vectors when implementation flaws exist.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of software reliability and robustness issues that can be exploited to cause system instability or complete service outages. While the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified in the CVE description, partitioning-related vulnerabilities typically involve improper handling of boundary conditions, memory management issues, or resource exhaustion scenarios that could lead to crashes or hangs in the database server process. The authentication requirement suggests that the attack surface is limited to systems where legitimate users have access, but this does not diminish the severity of potential impact. Such vulnerabilities often stem from inadequate input validation or improper state management within the partitioning code paths, potentially allowing maliciously crafted partition operations to trigger unexpected behavior in the database server. The lack of specific technical details in the CVE description indicates either that the vulnerability was still under investigation or that the specific exploitation vectors were considered too sensitive to disclose publicly.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical data operations. The availability impact means that successful exploitation could result in complete database service disruption, potentially affecting business operations and data accessibility for extended periods. Organizations with multiple database instances or those running high-availability configurations may face cascading failures if this vulnerability is exploited across their infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack vector implies that threat actors could potentially exploit this vulnerability from external networks, provided they have valid authentication credentials. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where database access is granted to multiple users or where credential compromise is possible through various attack vectors such as phishing, credential theft, or exploitation of other vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affect data integrity and business continuity, especially in mission-critical applications where database availability is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0503 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the number of authenticated users who have access to database servers, reducing the potential attack surface. Regular monitoring of database server logs for unusual partitioning operations or system behavior patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can alert on anomalous partitioning behavior or resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation. Additionally, organizations should ensure that all database administrators have up-to-date security training and that privileged access is strictly controlled through proper access management procedures. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining current security patches and the risks associated with running outdated software versions in production environments.
This vulnerability aligns with several CWE categories including CWE-119 for memory corruption issues and CWE-362 for concurrent execution issues, though the specific technical details are not fully disclosed. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under T1486 for Data Destruction and T1499 for Endpoint Termination, as the availability impact could lead to complete system unavailability or data loss. Organizations should also consider the broader implications for their security posture, as vulnerabilities in core database systems often indicate potential for more sophisticated attacks that could leverage this initial access to compromise additional systems within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability underscores the critical importance of maintaining current security patches and the risks associated with running outdated software versions in production environments, particularly in database systems that handle sensitive organizational data.