CVE-2016-0599 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.7.9 allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0599 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL database software version 5.7.9, specifically affecting the query optimizer component. This issue manifests as an unspecified vulnerability that permits remote authenticated attackers to compromise system availability, demonstrating the critical nature of database engine components that control query execution and resource management. The vulnerability resides within the optimizer module, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to disrupt database services.
The technical flaw within the MySQL optimizer component allows authenticated users to exploit unknown vectors that ultimately result in availability disruption. While the exact technical mechanism remains unspecified in the CVE description, such vulnerabilities typically involve memory corruption, resource exhaustion, or execution flow manipulation within the query processing pipeline. The optimizer's role in analyzing and planning query execution makes it susceptible to attacks that could cause the database service to crash, become unresponsive, or consume excessive system resources. This vulnerability specifically impacts the availability aspect of the database system, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that could affect business operations and data accessibility.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL 5.7.9 for critical database operations. The requirement for remote authentication means that attackers must first establish valid credentials, but once achieved, they can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt database availability. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially affect data integrity and system reliability, as optimizer failures can cause cascading issues throughout the database infrastructure. Organizations with high availability requirements face particular risk, as this vulnerability could be exploited to cause extended downtime or service degradation that impacts multiple applications dependent on the database.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer," and potentially CWE-400, "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption," as the attack vectors likely involve resource manipulation or memory management failures within the optimizer. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1499.004, "Endpoint Denial of Service," and could be leveraged as part of broader attack chains targeting database infrastructure. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying Oracle's security patches, monitoring database performance for unusual resource consumption patterns, and implementing network segmentation to limit access to database systems. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logging of database activities to detect unauthorized access attempts that could lead to exploitation of this availability-related vulnerability.