CVE-2016-0643 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.48 and earlier, 5.6.29 and earlier, and 5.7.11 and earlier allows local users to affect confidentiality via vectors related to DML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0643 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting multiple version ranges including 5.5.48 and earlier, 5.6.29 and earlier, and 5.7.11 and earlier. This issue manifests as an unspecified weakness that specifically impacts local users and relates to Data Manipulation Language operations within the database system. The classification as a local privilege escalation vulnerability indicates that an attacker with access to the system can exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data without requiring network-level access or remote exploitation capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of DML operations within the MySQL database engine, which creates opportunities for data confidentiality breaches. DML operations encompass standard database functions such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE commands that manipulate data within database tables. When these operations are improperly validated or secured, they can potentially expose sensitive information to unauthorized users or processes that should not have access to such data. The vulnerability's location within the database engine's core functionality suggests that it operates at a fundamental level of data processing rather than being a surface-level interface issue.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data access violations as it represents a potential pathway for data exfiltration and information disclosure attacks. Local users who can leverage this vulnerability may be able to access database contents that should remain confidential, potentially including user credentials, personal information, financial records, or proprietary business data. This weakness particularly concerns database administrators and security professionals because it allows attackers to bypass traditional network-based security controls by exploiting local system access. The vulnerability's presence in multiple MySQL version streams indicates that organizations across different deployment scenarios may be affected, requiring comprehensive patch management strategies.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation measures including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates to address this vulnerability. System administrators should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running affected MySQL versions and implement additional monitoring for unauthorized database access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which addresses "Information Exposure" and represents a classic example of how improper access controls can lead to data confidentiality breaches. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under techniques related to privilege escalation and credential access, as it allows local users to gain unauthorized access to sensitive data that they should not be able to retrieve through normal database operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions and access control reviews to detect and prevent exploitation attempts of this type of vulnerability.