CVE-2015-2648 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 DML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-2648 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.43 and earlier, as well as 5.6.24 and earlier, which can be exploited by remote authenticated users to compromise system availability. This issue falls under the category of availability impact, where an attacker with valid credentials can manipulate database operations to cause service disruption or system unavailability. The vulnerability specifically relates to Data Manipulation Language operations, indicating that the flaw occurs during the execution of standard database commands such as insert, update, delete, and select operations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, but the impact on availability indicates a critical weakness in the database server's handling of authenticated user requests.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates a weakness in MySQL's processing of DML operations that can be manipulated by authenticated users to cause system instability or denial of service conditions. The fact that this affects both major version lines (5.5 and 5.6) indicates a fundamental flaw in the database engine's architecture rather than a simple code bug. The vulnerability's classification under the broader category of availability issues aligns with CWE-400, which encompasses weaknesses that can lead to resource exhaustion or system instability. The attack vector requiring authentication suggests that the flaw exists in the server's handling of legitimate database operations rather than in authentication mechanisms themselves, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have access to the system.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-2648 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the integrity of database operations and overall system reliability. When authenticated users can manipulate DML operations to cause availability issues, it creates a scenario where internal users or compromised accounts can be weaponized to attack the database infrastructure. This vulnerability can lead to extended downtime, data access delays, and potential data loss if the system becomes unavailable during critical operations. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where database availability is critical for business operations, as it can cascade into broader service disruptions across dependent applications and systems. Organizations relying on MySQL for critical data operations face significant risk of operational disruption when this vulnerability is exploited.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-2648 should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases, as Oracle would have addressed this vulnerability in subsequent updates. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit authentication privileges to only necessary users, reducing the potential attack surface. Monitoring and logging of DML operations should be enhanced to detect anomalous patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of database firewalls or intrusion detection systems can help identify and block malicious DML operations. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in the database infrastructure. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, where attackers leverage legitimate access to cause system instability. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely remediation of such vulnerabilities, as the timeframe between vulnerability disclosure and exploitation often represents a critical window for security breaches.