CVE-2015-4815 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 vectors related to Server : DDL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4815 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server versions prior to 5.5.45 and 5.6.26. This issue affects the server's Data Definition Language processing capabilities and can be exploited by remotely authenticated users to disrupt service availability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it clearly relates to how the MySQL server handles DDL operations. Such vulnerabilities in database systems are particularly concerning as they can lead to complete service outages that impact business operations and data availability. The fact that exploitation requires authentication suggests that the vulnerability may be more targeted, but still poses a serious risk to systems where legitimate users have access to database operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the server's handling of Data Definition Language commands which are used to define and modify database structures. These operations include creating, altering, and dropping tables, indexes, and other database objects. When processing these commands, the MySQL server appears to have insufficient input validation or error handling mechanisms that could be triggered by malformed or specially crafted DDL statements. This vulnerability specifically affects the server component of MySQL, indicating that the issue lies within the core database engine rather than client-side applications or network protocols. The DDL processing pathway likely contains logic that does not properly handle certain edge cases or malicious inputs, leading to unexpected behavior that could result in service disruption or termination.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure. Remote authenticated users who can execute DDL operations can leverage this flaw to cause denial of service conditions that may require system restarts or manual intervention to resolve. Organizations relying on MySQL databases for critical applications face significant risk as attackers with valid credentials could systematically degrade database performance or make database services completely unavailable. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators have broad privileges, as the attack surface expands to include legitimate users who may be compromised or act maliciously. The availability impact can cascade through applications that depend on the database, creating widespread system failures throughout the enterprise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4815 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL server installations to versions 5.5.45 or later and 5.6.26 or later where the vulnerability has been resolved. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit the number of authenticated users who can perform DDL operations, reducing the potential attack surface. Database administrators should monitor for unusual DDL activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, implementing logging and alerting mechanisms to detect anomalous behavior. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing to identify similar weaknesses in their database infrastructure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weakness in memory management and improper handling of input data, and may also map to ATT&CK techniques related to service stoppage and denial of service attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect and prevent exploitation attempts through behavioral analysis and anomaly detection systems.