CVE-2015-2643 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 unknown vectors related to Server : Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2643 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.43 and earlier, as well as 5.6.24 and earlier, specifically impacting the Server Optimizer component. This unspecified flaw enables remote authenticated attackers to disrupt service availability through mechanisms that remain undetailed in the initial description, highlighting the complexity and potential severity of database server vulnerabilities. The affected MySQL versions indicate a significant attack surface spanning multiple major releases, suggesting this vulnerability may have persisted across several iterations of the database software.
The technical nature of this vulnerability lies within the optimizer module of MySQL Server, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. When attackers can manipulate the optimizer through authenticated remote access, they can potentially cause the server to enter an unstable state or crash entirely. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper handling of query execution plans, memory management issues, or resource exhaustion conditions that can be triggered by crafted database operations. The fact that this affects the optimizer component suggests that attackers might be able to cause denial of service through complex query processing or by exploiting how the server evaluates and executes SQL statements.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2643 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database infrastructure reliability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face significant risk of unauthorized service interruption, which can result in business continuity issues, data access delays, and potential financial losses. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must already have valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, but this does not mitigate the risk as compromised accounts or insider threats can still leverage this weakness. The availability impact directly relates to the database server's ability to process legitimate queries, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical.
Security practitioners should prioritize immediate remediation through patch management procedures, as Oracle would have released specific patches addressing this optimizer-related vulnerability. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected MySQL versions and implement proper access controls to limit authentication privileges. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses memory safety issues in database systems, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Additionally, implementing proper monitoring and logging of database server operations can help detect anomalous query patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing database firewalls or query filtering mechanisms to prevent potentially malicious operations from reaching the optimizer component, while maintaining audit trails of all database activities for forensic analysis purposes.