CVE-2015-4870 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 : Parser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/20/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4870 represents a critical availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server implementations across multiple version ranges including 5.5.45 and earlier, as well as 5.6.26 and earlier releases. This issue resides within the Server : Parser component of the database system, which serves as a fundamental element responsible for processing and interpreting SQL statements submitted by authenticated users. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vectors indicates that the exact technical mechanisms triggering the availability impact remain undisclosed, though the classification suggests a potential denial of service condition that could compromise system stability and operational continuity. The vulnerability specifically targets authenticated users, meaning that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit this weakness, which reduces the attack surface but does not eliminate the risk entirely.
The technical flaw within the MySQL Server parser component demonstrates a failure in proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. When processing certain SQL statements, the parser encounters conditions that lead to unexpected behavior resulting in system instability. This category of vulnerability typically falls under CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation," and potentially CWE-400, "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," as the exploitation could lead to resource exhaustion or process termination. The parser's inability to gracefully handle malformed or specially crafted input represents a fundamental security weakness that undermines the database server's reliability and availability. The authentication requirement for exploitation suggests that the vulnerability may involve specific privilege levels or query processing paths that are accessible only to authenticated users, though this does not prevent potential abuse by compromised accounts or insider threats.
Operational impact assessment reveals that successful exploitation of CVE-2015-4870 could result in significant service disruption and potential system downtime for MySQL deployments. The availability compromise could manifest as database server crashes, process terminations, or resource exhaustion that prevents legitimate users from accessing database services. This type of vulnerability directly affects the business continuity and operational reliability of systems dependent on MySQL database functionality. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face potential data access interruptions, application performance degradation, and increased administrative overhead for system recovery and patch management. The impact extends beyond immediate service disruption to include potential cascading effects on dependent applications and services that rely on database availability for their own operations. Security teams must consider the implications for their incident response procedures and the potential need for immediate patch deployment or alternative mitigation strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4870 should prioritize immediate patch application from Oracle, as this represents the most effective long-term solution to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring of database server processes and resource utilization to detect potential exploitation attempts or abnormal behavior patterns. Network segmentation and access controls can help reduce the attack surface by limiting access to MySQL servers and implementing principle of least privilege for database user accounts. Security configuration hardening measures including disabling unnecessary database features, implementing strict input validation procedures, and maintaining detailed audit logs of database activities can provide additional protective layers. The vulnerability's classification as affecting server parser components suggests that implementing proper SQL injection prevention mechanisms and input sanitization techniques could help reduce exploitation risk. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous query patterns or resource consumption that may indicate exploitation attempts, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499 for Network Denial of Service and T1070 for Indicator Removal on Host. Regular vulnerability assessments and security testing should be conducted to identify and address similar weaknesses in database server configurations and implementations.