CVE-2016-0596 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.46 and earlier and 5.6.27 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to DML.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0596 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting versions 5.5.46 and earlier, as well as 5.6.27 and earlier. This unspecified flaw resides within the database management system's handling of Data Manipulation Language operations, which form the core of database interaction processes. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated indicates that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit the flaw, yet the impact extends to system availability rather than data integrity or confidentiality. The DML-related nature of the vulnerability suggests that it specifically affects operations such as insert, update, delete, and select commands that manipulate database records. This type of vulnerability poses a particular risk in production environments where database availability directly impacts business operations and service delivery.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly routine database operations can be leveraged to cause system disruption. When authenticated users execute specific DML operations, the flaw can trigger unexpected behavior that leads to database service degradation or complete unavailability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple performance degradation to potentially causing database crashes or requiring system restarts. This type of availability compromise aligns with CWE-119, which addresses improper restriction of operations within a recognized security boundary, and may also relate to CWE-400, which covers unchecked resource consumption. The remote aspect of the vulnerability means that attackers can exploit this weakness from network locations, potentially allowing for coordinated attacks that could impact multiple database instances simultaneously.
Operational implications of CVE-2016-0596 are substantial for organizations relying on MySQL database infrastructure. The vulnerability creates potential for denial of service conditions that could affect critical business applications dependent on database availability. System administrators may experience unexpected downtime or require emergency maintenance procedures to restore service functionality. The authenticated nature of the vulnerability means that insider threats or compromised accounts pose a significant risk, as attackers with legitimate database access can exploit this weakness without requiring additional privileged information. Organizations utilizing MySQL in mission-critical applications face potential revenue loss, customer service disruption, and increased operational overhead. The vulnerability's presence in widely used database versions also means that many organizations may be affected, creating widespread potential for coordinated exploitation attempts. This type of vulnerability commonly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks, and may also align with T1566 related to credential access through social engineering or compromised accounts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0596 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to patched MySQL releases that address the specific DML handling flaw. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MySQL 5.5.47 or later, and 5.6.28 or later, as these versions contain the necessary security patches. Network segmentation and access control measures can help limit the potential impact by restricting database access to only authorized users and applications. Implementing monitoring solutions that track unusual DML operations or resource consumption patterns can provide early detection of potential exploitation attempts. Database administrators should also consider implementing connection limits and resource quotas to prevent any single authenticated user from exhausting system resources through malicious DML operations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems within the organization's infrastructure. Additionally, maintaining detailed audit logs of database operations and establishing incident response procedures specifically for database availability issues will help organizations respond effectively to any exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining current database software versions and implementing comprehensive security monitoring practices across all database systems.