CVE-2015-2620 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.43 and earlier and 5.6.23 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect confidentiality via unknown vectors related to Server : Security : Privileges.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2620 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.43 and earlier, as well as 5.6.23 and earlier, affecting the server's security and privilege management mechanisms. This unspecified weakness falls under the broader category of privilege escalation vulnerabilities that can compromise data confidentiality when exploited by remote authenticated attackers. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's security and privilege subsystem, indicating a fundamental flaw in how MySQL handles user permissions and access controls. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited by attackers who have already established authentication credentials, potentially allowing them to access sensitive data that should otherwise be restricted to authorized users only.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation or enforcement of privileges within the MySQL server implementation, creating potential pathways for unauthorized data access. While the exact vector remains unspecified, the classification as a server security privilege issue suggests that the flaw likely involves improper handling of privilege checks during query execution or data access operations. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control mechanisms in software systems, and could potentially be leveraged through techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under privilege escalation tactics. The vulnerability's impact on confidentiality indicates that attackers could potentially read or extract data that should be protected by access controls, undermining the fundamental security model of the database system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2620 extends beyond simple data exposure, as it represents a potential backdoor for more sophisticated attacks within database environments. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of data breaches, especially in environments where database administrators and regular users share the same database instance without proper segregation. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, but can leverage network-based attacks from authenticated sessions. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for web applications and services that rely on MySQL for data storage, as it could allow attackers to escalate privileges and access sensitive information such as user credentials, personal data, financial records, or proprietary business information. The lack of specific exploitation details in the CVE description suggests that this vulnerability may have been difficult to predict or that the exact conditions for exploitation were complex, but the potential for confidentiality impact remains severe.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2620 primarily involve immediate patching of affected MySQL server versions to the latest available releases that address the privilege enforcement issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all instances of affected MySQL versions across their infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts. Database administrators should also conduct thorough privilege audits to minimize the potential impact of any exploitation attempts, ensuring that users have the minimum necessary privileges for their operations. Additional protective measures include implementing network segmentation, monitoring database access logs for unusual privilege usage patterns, and applying the principle of least privilege to database user accounts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous behavior patterns consistent with privilege escalation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a server security issue emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and following secure configuration practices for database systems. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure readiness for potential exploitation of this type of privilege-related vulnerability, particularly in environments where database security is critical for business operations and regulatory compliance requirements.