CVE-2015-0506 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 InnoDB, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-0508.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-0506 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.23 and earlier, specifically affecting the InnoDB storage engine component. This issue manifests as a remote authenticated attack vector that can compromise system availability through unspecified mechanisms within the InnoDB subsystem, distinguishing it from the closely related CVE-2015-0508 vulnerability that affected different aspects of the database engine. The vulnerability's classification as an unspecified flaw within InnoDB indicates that the precise technical mechanism triggering the availability disruption remains partially obscured in the initial disclosure, though it clearly involves the underlying transactional storage engine that processes database operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the broader category of denial-of-service conditions that can be exploited by authenticated attackers who possess valid credentials to access the MySQL server.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the InnoDB storage engine's handling of certain database operations or transaction states that can lead to system instability or complete service unavailability. Given that the vulnerability requires authentication to exploit, it represents a privilege escalation or lateral movement threat rather than an open attack surface. Attackers with valid user accounts can leverage this weakness to disrupt database services, potentially causing cascading failures in applications that depend on MySQL for data persistence. The InnoDB engine's complex transaction management, locking mechanisms, and recovery procedures provide multiple potential entry points for such availability attacks, making thorough analysis of transactional states and resource management critical for understanding the full scope of the vulnerability. This aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, particularly relevant when database engine components can be manipulated through legitimate user sessions.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can severely disrupt business continuity for organizations relying on MySQL databases, especially those using the affected versions. The availability compromise can result in service outages, data access interruptions, and potential loss of business critical operations that depend on database functionality. Organizations may experience cascading failures where application systems dependent on MySQL become unresponsive, leading to extended downtime and potential financial losses. The authentication requirement adds complexity to the threat model, as it suggests that internal threats or compromised accounts pose significant risks, potentially including insider attacks or credential theft scenarios that can be exploited by malicious actors. This vulnerability particularly impacts environments where database access controls are not properly enforced or where user accounts are not adequately monitored for suspicious activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-0506 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to version 5.6.24 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the InnoDB availability issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of database sessions and transaction patterns to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit database access to only necessary administrative and application accounts. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected MySQL versions within their infrastructure and prioritize remediation based on risk exposure. The implementation of database activity monitoring tools can provide early detection capabilities for suspicious transaction patterns that may precede availability disruption. Additionally, regular security audits of database access controls and credential management practices should be conducted to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. Organizations should also consider implementing database firewalls or advanced threat detection systems that can identify and block malicious database operations targeting InnoDB components. The remediation process should include testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing applications and prevent unintended side effects.