CVE-2015-2567 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 : Security : Privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2567 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.23 and earlier, specifically impacting the server's security and privilege management mechanisms. This issue affects authenticated remote attackers who can potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified attack vectors that fall under the broader category of server security and privilege management. The vulnerability demonstrates the inherent risks associated with database server privilege escalation and access control mechanisms that can be exploited by malicious actors with legitimate authentication credentials. Such flaws underscore the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database server installations and implementing robust security monitoring practices to detect anomalous access patterns.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies in the improper handling of security privileges within the MySQL server architecture, where authenticated users can potentially manipulate system resources to cause availability disruptions. While the exact technical vectors remain unspecified in the initial CVE description, this type of vulnerability typically involves weaknesses in privilege validation mechanisms, access control lists, or resource management functions that allow authenticated users to escalate their privileges beyond intended limits. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways may exist for exploitation, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it could potentially be leveraged in various ways to compromise system availability. This aligns with CWE-284 which categorizes improper access control vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized users to gain elevated privileges or access restricted resources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to database availability and system integrity, potentially allowing authenticated users to cause denial of service conditions or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The threat landscape for such vulnerabilities is particularly concerning because attackers need only legitimate authentication credentials to exploit these weaknesses, making detection more challenging and the potential impact more severe. Organizations running affected MySQL server versions face the risk of system downtime, data integrity issues, and potential unauthorized access to sensitive database information. The availability impact can manifest through various means including resource exhaustion, process termination, or service disruption that affects legitimate users and business operations.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management processes to address this vulnerability in all affected MySQL server installations. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to MySQL Server versions that contain the necessary security fixes and implementing additional monitoring controls to detect unusual privilege usage patterns. Organizations should also conduct thorough security assessments of their database environments to identify any potential exploitation attempts and establish baseline configurations that minimize the attack surface. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining comprehensive patch management programs and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include network segmentation, access logging, and continuous monitoring of database activities. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers valid accounts and privilege escalation, emphasizing the need for robust identity and access management controls within database environments. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that database systems remain protected against similar threats and that appropriate security controls are maintained across all system components.