CVE-2015-4737 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 : Pluggable Auth.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4737 resides within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.43 and earlier, as well as 5.6.23 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness in the database management system's authentication framework. This issue specifically impacts the Server : Pluggable Auth component, which serves as a critical interface for handling user authentication and authorization processes within the MySQL ecosystem. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical mechanism enabling the confidentiality breach remains undisclosed, though its implications for data security are severe.
The technical flaw manifests through remote authenticated user access, meaning that an attacker who has already established legitimate credentials within the MySQL environment can exploit this weakness to compromise data confidentiality. This vulnerability operates within the pluggable authentication architecture, which allows various authentication plugins to be integrated into the MySQL server, creating multiple potential attack vectors. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may involve improper handling of authentication tokens, session management flaws, or weaknesses in the authentication plugin communication protocols that could enable unauthorized data access or information leakage.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL databases, particularly those with extensive user authentication systems. The ability for authenticated users to affect confidentiality implies that attackers could potentially access sensitive data that should be restricted to authorized personnel only. This weakness could enable data exfiltration, unauthorized access to protected database resources, or compromise of user credentials and personal information stored within the database. The remote aspect of the vulnerability means that attackers do not need physical access to the database server, making the attack surface significantly broader and more accessible.
The security implications extend beyond simple data theft, potentially enabling more sophisticated attacks such as privilege escalation or lateral movement within network environments where MySQL servers are deployed. Organizations using affected MySQL versions face heightened risk of data breaches and compliance violations, particularly in regulated industries where data confidentiality is paramount. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control issues, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1566 for social engineering, as it exploits legitimate authentication mechanisms to gain unauthorized access to confidential information.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases, which include fixes for the pluggable authentication vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of authentication events and access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, restricting remote access to MySQL servers, and maintaining regular security assessments of authentication components can significantly reduce the risk exposure. Security teams should also review and audit existing authentication plugin configurations to ensure proper implementation of access controls and consider implementing additional layers of authentication security such as multi-factor authentication for critical database systems.