CVE-2016-0546 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.46 and earlier, 5.6.27 and earlier, and 5.7.9 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via unknown vectors related to Client.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0546 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting multiple versions including 5.5.46 and earlier, 5.6.27 and earlier, and 5.7.9 and earlier. This issue specifically impacts the client-side components of the MySQL database infrastructure, creating potential attack surfaces that could be exploited by local users to compromise system integrity. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it may encompass multiple exploitation techniques that could be leveraged by malicious actors. The vulnerability's classification as affecting confidentiality, integrity, and availability indicates a comprehensive impact across all three core principles of information security. This triad compromise suggests that attackers could potentially access sensitive data, modify database contents, and disrupt database operations through this single vulnerability.
The technical flaw resides within the client-side implementation of MySQL, where local users can exploit unknown vectors to manipulate system resources and database operations. This type of vulnerability typically stems from insufficient input validation, improper access controls, or flawed privilege management within the client application components. The local user access requirement means that exploitation does not require network connectivity or remote access capabilities, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where local system access is possible. The impact extends beyond simple data manipulation to include potential system instability and complete service disruption, as the vulnerability affects availability alongside confidentiality and integrity. This comprehensive impact aligns with common attack patterns found in CWE-20, which addresses "Improper Input Validation" and related weaknesses that can lead to cascading security failures.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0546 is substantial for organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions, as local users with minimal privileges could potentially escalate their access or cause system-wide disruptions. Database administrators face significant challenges in identifying and mitigating this vulnerability due to the unspecified nature of the attack vectors, requiring comprehensive security assessments and potentially extensive system monitoring. Organizations may experience data breaches, unauthorized modifications to database contents, and service interruptions that could affect business operations and regulatory compliance. The vulnerability's presence in multiple MySQL versions indicates a widespread issue that requires immediate attention across various database deployments and system configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0546 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest available versions that contain security fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive access controls and privilege management to limit local user access to database systems, following principle of least privilege guidelines. Network segmentation and monitoring solutions should be deployed to detect unusual database activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database infrastructure. System hardening measures including disabling unnecessary database features and implementing robust logging mechanisms can help reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK framework would likely map to privilege escalation and defense evasion techniques, making comprehensive threat hunting and incident response procedures essential for effective mitigation. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts against this vulnerability.