CVE-2015-4861 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 : InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4861 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.45 and earlier, as well as 5.6.26 and earlier, specifically impacting the InnoDB storage engine component. This issue affects authenticated remote attackers who can potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified attack vectors within the server infrastructure. The vulnerability's classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical details of the exploitation method were not fully disclosed in the initial advisory, making it particularly concerning for security professionals who must assess and mitigate potential risks without complete information about the attack surface.
The technical flaw resides within the InnoDB storage engine implementation within MySQL Server, which is responsible for managing database transactions and storage operations. InnoDB's architecture includes complex mechanisms for handling concurrent transactions, locking strategies, and data integrity checks that form the foundation of MySQL's reliability. When an authenticated user exploits this vulnerability, they can manipulate the server's behavior in ways that compromise availability, potentially leading to service disruption or complete system unavailability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation as it affects core server functionality and can cause cascading failures within database operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical database operations, particularly those with high availability requirements. The authenticated nature of the attack means that attackers must first establish valid credentials, but once achieved, they can potentially cause significant downtime or service degradation that affects business operations. The unspecified nature of the vector makes it particularly dangerous as security teams cannot fully anticipate or prepare for all potential exploitation scenarios, requiring comprehensive monitoring and defensive measures across all database systems.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, where such availability-related issues typically map to CWE-1004 which addresses weaknesses that are "Not Appropriate for a Specific Weakness Type" or more specifically to CWE-1247 which deals with "Improper Handling of Unusual Conditions" in database systems. The attack patterns align with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's methodology for database exploitation, particularly under the initial access and persistence phases where authenticated users can leverage their access to cause availability disruption. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of MySQL Server, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and establishing robust monitoring for unusual database activity patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability's potential for causing service disruption makes it particularly critical for organizations with regulatory compliance requirements or those operating in environments where database availability is mission-critical. System administrators should conduct thorough risk assessments to determine which database systems are exposed to this vulnerability and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additionally, organizations should review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly identify and respond to potential exploitation attempts, as the unspecified nature of the attack vector means that traditional signature-based detection methods may be insufficient for identifying all possible exploitation patterns.