CVE-2015-4816 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.44 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server : InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4816 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.44 and earlier, specifically impacting the InnoDB storage engine component. This flaw exists within the server-side processing mechanisms of MySQL's database management system, creating potential for remote exploitation by authenticated users who possess valid credentials to access the database system. The unspecified nature of the exact vector mechanism suggests that the vulnerability may involve multiple attack pathways or could be a complex interaction between several system components within the InnoDB subsystem that handles transactional database operations.
The technical foundation of this vulnerability lies within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of database transactions and concurrent access operations. InnoDB is MySQL's default storage engine that provides advanced features including foreign key support, row-level locking, and transactional integrity. When authenticated users leverage this vulnerability, they can potentially disrupt the normal operation of the database server through mechanisms that affect the availability of database services. The attack surface appears to be related to how InnoDB processes concurrent transactions or manages internal data structures during database operations, which could lead to system instability or complete service disruption.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to database availability and system reliability. Attackers with legitimate authentication credentials could exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions that prevent authorized users from accessing database resources. The potential for remote exploitation means that attackers could target systems from external networks without requiring physical access or additional privileged information. This vulnerability directly impacts the principle of availability within the CIA triad, potentially causing business disruption, data access delays, and operational downtime that could affect critical applications relying on MySQL database services.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weaknesses in memory handling that could lead to availability impacts through buffer overflows or memory corruption. Additionally, this issue relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through service availability attacks, and potentially T1566.001 for initial access through valid accounts. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The remediation strategy must include immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to 5.5.45 or later, along with proper access controls and network segmentation to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks.
Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and implement layered defense mechanisms. The patching process must be carefully planned to avoid service disruption during updates, considering the critical nature of database availability in enterprise environments. Regular security audits should verify that authentication controls remain effective and that unauthorized access attempts are properly logged and investigated. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing proper security monitoring to detect and respond to potential exploitation attempts before they can cause significant operational impact.