CVE-2016-0641 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.47 and earlier, 5.6.28 and earlier, and 5.7.10 and earlier allows local users to affect confidentiality and availability via vectors related to MyISAM.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0641 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting multiple version ranges including 5.5.47 and earlier, 5.6.28 and earlier, and 5.7.10 and earlier releases. This issue specifically targets the MyISAM storage engine implementation within the MySQL database infrastructure, creating potential pathways for local attackers to compromise system integrity and availability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it operates within the context of local user access and impacts both confidentiality and availability aspects of the affected systems.
The technical flaw manifests through MyISAM storage engine vulnerabilities that allow local users to exploit weaknesses in how database operations are handled within this particular storage engine implementation. MyISAM tables are characterized by their simplicity and speed, but they lack many of the advanced features found in InnoDB storage engine such as foreign key constraints and transactional support. This vulnerability leverages the inherent design characteristics of MyISAM to create conditions where local attackers can manipulate database operations to achieve unauthorized access to sensitive data or disrupt service availability. The attack vector is specifically tied to local user access, meaning that an attacker must already have some level of system access to exploit this vulnerability, though the impact can be severe once successfully executed.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0641 extends beyond simple data exposure to encompass potential service disruption and data integrity compromise. Local attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability can potentially access confidential database information stored in MyISAM tables, leading to unauthorized data disclosure that could include sensitive user information, business data, or system configuration details. Additionally, the availability aspect of the vulnerability means that attackers can potentially cause denial of service conditions by manipulating database operations in ways that disrupt normal system functionality. This dual impact on both confidentiality and availability makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can simultaneously compromise data security and system reliability.
Organizations affected by this vulnerability should prioritize immediate remediation through official Oracle security patches and updates for their MySQL installations. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to patched versions of MySQL that address the specific MyISAM storage engine vulnerabilities. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting local user access to database systems, monitoring database operations for anomalous behavior, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify potential exploitation vectors. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to privilege escalation and data exposure, while the CWE classification would likely fall under CWE-200 for information exposure and potentially CWE-119 for memory safety issues related to storage engine manipulation.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of maintaining current database security practices and regular patch management procedures. Database systems represent critical infrastructure components that require continuous security monitoring and updating to protect against evolving threats. Organizations should establish comprehensive security protocols that include regular vulnerability assessments, automated patch deployment processes, and continuous monitoring of database system behavior to detect potential exploitation attempts. The local nature of this vulnerability underscores the importance of principle of least privilege access controls and proper system hardening measures to limit the potential impact of such security flaws across enterprise environments.