CVE-2015-4772 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.24 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server : Partition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/03/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4772 represents a critical weakness in Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.24 and earlier, specifically within the Server Partition component. This issue affects authenticated remote attackers who can potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified attack vectors. The vulnerability resides in the partitioning functionality of the MySQL database server, which is a fundamental feature for managing large datasets through horizontal data distribution across multiple storage units. The partitioning mechanism allows databases to be split into smaller, more manageable pieces while maintaining the illusion of a single database to applications. This particular flaw manifests in the server-side partition handling code, where improper validation or processing of partition-related operations can lead to system instability and service disruption.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the MySQL Server's partition management subsystem. When authenticated users execute specific partition-related operations, the server may encounter unexpected conditions that trigger abnormal termination or resource exhaustion. This type of vulnerability typically falls under the category of availability attacks, where the primary objective is to render the service inaccessible to legitimate users rather than to gain unauthorized access or extract data. The partitioning feature in MySQL supports various partitioning methods including range, list, hash, and key partitioning, each of which could potentially be exploited through malformed partition definitions or operations that cause the server to enter an unstable state. The unspecified nature of the attack vectors suggests that multiple pathways within the partitioning logic could be compromised, making the vulnerability particularly challenging to fully characterize and defend against.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database availability and system reliability. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions may experience unexpected service interruptions, database server crashes, or complete unavailability of the database service. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must first establish valid credentials, which reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated vulnerabilities but does not eliminate the risk entirely. In enterprise environments where MySQL serves as a critical backend component for applications, this vulnerability could result in substantial business disruption, data access delays, and potential financial losses. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as database server crashes can lead to data consistency issues, transaction rollbacks, and extended recovery periods that may last hours or even days depending on the complexity of the database structure and backup procedures in place.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through official Oracle patches and updates to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to MySQL Server versions that have been patched to resolve the partitioning issues, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure date. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users who can interact with partition-related database operations. Monitoring and logging of partitioning activities should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing database firewalls or intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious partition-related queries can provide an additional layer of protection. According to CWE standards, this vulnerability relates to CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer, as it involves improper handling of partition-related data structures that can lead to memory corruption or resource exhaustion. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under T1499.004 Network Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage database server weaknesses to disrupt availability. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and alert on partitioning operations that deviate from normal patterns, helping to identify potential exploitation attempts before they cause significant damage to system availability.