CVE-2015-4910 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.6.26 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Server : Memcached.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-4910 represents a critical weakness in Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.26 and earlier, specifically impacting the server's integration with Memcached functionality. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that enables remote authenticated attackers to compromise system availability, creating potential disruption to database services and associated applications. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side Memcached-related issue suggests a deep integration point between MySQL's storage engine and the caching mechanisms that could be exploited to cause service degradation or complete unavailability. The authentication requirement indicates that attackers must possess valid credentials to exploit this vulnerability, though this does not mitigate the potential impact on system availability and operational continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the interaction between MySQL Server's Memcached plugin and the underlying caching infrastructure, creating potential attack surfaces that could be leveraged to disrupt normal database operations. This type of vulnerability typically involves memory management issues or resource exhaustion scenarios that could occur when processing specific data patterns or connection requests through the Memcached integration layer. The unspecified nature of the exact vector suggests that the flaw may involve multiple potential attack paths or could manifest differently depending on the specific configuration and usage patterns of the MySQL server with Memcached integration. Such vulnerabilities often fall under the category of availability attacks that target system resources rather than confidentiality or integrity, aligning with common threat patterns documented in cybersecurity frameworks.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-4910 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability for organizations relying on MySQL databases with Memcached integration. Remote authenticated attackers could exploit this vulnerability to cause denial of service conditions that might require system restarts, manual intervention, or extended recovery periods. The vulnerability affects database performance and reliability, potentially leading to cascading failures in applications that depend on consistent database availability. Organizations with mission-critical database systems could face significant operational challenges, including data access delays, application downtime, and potential customer impact. The presence of this vulnerability in widely deployed MySQL versions indicates that many organizations could be at risk, particularly those utilizing Memcached integration for performance optimization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-4910 should prioritize immediate patching and updates to MySQL Server versions that address the specific Memcached integration issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect unusual resource consumption patterns or connection behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while regular security assessments should evaluate the overall database security posture. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side availability issue aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Impact' category, specifically targeting system availability through resource exhaustion or service disruption techniques. Security teams should also consider disabling Memcached integration if it is not essential for operations, reducing the attack surface and potential impact of such vulnerabilities. Compliance with industry standards such as those outlined in CWE (Common Weakness Enumeration) for database server security would help organizations better understand and address similar vulnerabilities in their infrastructure.