CVE-2015-4802 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.45 and earlier and 5.6.26 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server : Partition, a different vulnerability than CVE-2015-4792.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4802 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server implementations across multiple versions including 5.5.45 and earlier, as well as 5.6.26 and earlier releases. This weakness resides within the Server Partition component of MySQL's architecture, specifically manifesting through unspecified attack vectors that can be exploited by authenticated remote attackers. The vulnerability's classification as a partition-related issue indicates it likely involves flaws in how the database system handles partitioned table operations, potentially affecting the system's ability to maintain consistent availability during normal operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the way MySQL Server processes partitioned data structures, where authenticated users can leverage specific conditions to disrupt system availability. This type of vulnerability typically involves race conditions, resource exhaustion, or improper state management within the partition handling mechanisms. The fact that it operates through unknown vectors suggests that the precise exploitation methodology remains partially obscured, though the impact clearly affects service availability. Such vulnerabilities often arise from insufficient input validation or inadequate error handling when processing partitioned table metadata and operations, creating potential for denial of service conditions that can persist until system restart or manual intervention.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to database availability and system stability in environments where MySQL servers handle critical business operations. Attackers who have already gained authentication credentials can leverage this weakness to cause service disruption, potentially leading to extended downtime and business impact. The authentication requirement reduces the attack surface compared to unauthenticated exploits, but does not eliminate the severity since legitimate users with appropriate credentials could be exploited through privilege escalation or session hijacking techniques. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential operational disruption ranging from partial service degradation to complete system unavailability, particularly in mission-critical applications where database uptime is paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4802 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the number of authenticated users with database access privileges, particularly those with administrative rights that could exploit partition-related features. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in partition table operations or resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring and audit logging can help identify unauthorized or anomalous partition operations that may precede availability disruption. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service and CWE-400 for unspecified resource management issues, emphasizing the importance of proper resource handling in database partitioning mechanisms. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database configurations and ensure comprehensive protection against both known and emerging threats in the database security landscape.