CVE-2016-0504 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.6.27 and earlier and 5.7.9 allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to DML, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0503.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0504 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting versions 5.6.27 and earlier, as well as 5.7.9. This flaw resides within the database management system's handling of Data Manipulation Language operations and specifically impacts the system's ability to maintain consistent availability under certain authenticated attack conditions. The vulnerability is classified as a remote authenticated attack vector, meaning that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit the flaw, yet the impact extends beyond simple data access to potentially disrupt system operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of DML operations within the MySQL database engine, where specific sequences of data manipulation commands can trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying storage engine. This flaw typically manifests during complex transaction processing or when executing certain types of queries that involve multiple data modification operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within the MySQL storage engine components that process DML statements, creating potential pathways for denial of service conditions that can render database services unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious risk to database availability and system reliability within enterprise environments that rely on MySQL for critical data operations. The remote authenticated nature of the attack means that compromised accounts or privileged users with legitimate access can potentially disrupt database services, leading to service outages that can affect business operations and data availability. Organizations may experience cascading effects where database unavailability impacts dependent applications and services, creating broader operational disruptions that extend beyond the immediate database environment.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer, and relates to the broader category of memory safety issues that can lead to denial of service conditions. Additionally, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, specifically targeting database systems and their availability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape, particularly in environments where database availability is critical for business continuity and where the potential for insider threats or credential compromise exists.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0504 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain the necessary security fixes. Database administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of authenticated attacks, while maintaining comprehensive monitoring of database activities for unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database environment, and organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous DML operations that might trigger the vulnerability conditions. The implementation of robust backup and recovery procedures remains essential to ensure business continuity in the event of successful exploitation attempts that result in service disruption.