CVE-2015-2582 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.43 and earlier and 5.6.24 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to GIS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2582 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server affecting versions 5.5.43 and earlier, as well as 5.6.24 and earlier. This issue falls under the category of availability disruption rather than data confidentiality or integrity compromise, indicating that malicious actors can exploit this weakness to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability specifically relates to Geographic Information System components within the MySQL database server, suggesting that the flaw manifests when processing spatial data or GIS-related operations. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in database environments where spatial data processing is common, including applications in mapping services, location-based services, and geographic information systems. The fact that this vulnerability affects multiple version streams demonstrates the persistence of the underlying issue within the MySQL codebase, potentially indicating a fundamental flaw in how the database handles spatial data processing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of GIS data within the MySQL server implementation, which creates opportunities for authenticated users to craft specific inputs that trigger unexpected behavior leading to service disruption. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory corruption, resource exhaustion, or improper input validation that allows an attacker to manipulate the database server's operation. The fact that remote authenticated access is required suggests that the attack vector involves a legitimate user with valid credentials, which complicates detection and mitigation efforts. Such vulnerabilities often map to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, which addresses buffer overflow in heap-based data structures, particularly when dealing with spatial data processing where dynamic memory allocation is common for geometric objects and spatial indexes. The exploitation of these weaknesses can result in denial of service conditions that may require manual intervention to restore normal database operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2582 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability for organizations relying on MySQL databases with GIS capabilities. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause database server processes to crash or become unresponsive, leading to extended downtime for applications that depend on these spatial database features. Organizations utilizing MySQL for location-based services, mapping applications, or any system requiring spatial data processing are particularly vulnerable to this type of disruption. The availability impact can cascade through dependent systems, affecting web applications, mobile services, and enterprise applications that rely on the database for geographic data operations. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1566.001, which involves spearphishing with a malicious attachment, as attackers might leverage this weakness to gain access to systems and then exploit it for availability disruption. The vulnerability's presence in both major version streams of MySQL indicates that organizations must carefully evaluate their patching strategies and consider the broader implications of maintaining older database versions.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the relevant Oracle security patches that address this specific vulnerability, as well as implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks. Database administrators should consider disabling unnecessary GIS functionality when it is not required for specific applications, and implement monitoring solutions that can detect abnormal database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning of database environments, particularly those handling spatial data. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for spatial data operations can help reduce the attack surface, while maintaining up-to-date security monitoring solutions can aid in early detection of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can track and alert on unusual spatial data processing operations that might indicate exploitation of this or similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments to ensure compatibility with existing applications before deployment to production systems.