CVE-2016-0649 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 availability via vectors related to PS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0649 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL database systems across multiple version ranges. This flaw exists within the MySQL server implementation and specifically affects systems running versions 5.5.47 and earlier, 5.6.28 and earlier, as well as 5.7.10 and earlier. The vulnerability is categorized as a local privilege escalation issue that can be exploited by users with limited system access to disrupt database operations and potentially cause complete service unavailability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of prepared statements within the MySQL server architecture. Prepared statements are optimization features that allow database queries to be compiled once and executed multiple times, improving performance in applications that reuse similar queries. However, the flaw manifests in how the server processes certain prepared statement operations, creating a condition where malformed or specially crafted prepared statement requests can trigger unexpected behavior in the database engine. This issue falls under the broader category of software defects that can lead to denial of service conditions, specifically affecting the availability aspect of the CIA triad.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-0649 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise database integrity and system stability. Local attackers who can execute code on the MySQL server host can leverage this vulnerability to cause the database service to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying legitimate users access to critical data services. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is paramount for business operations. The attack vector involves local system access, making it more accessible to insiders or attackers who have already compromised system-level privileges, though it could also represent a pathway for privilege escalation from lower-privileged accounts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, though the specific mechanism appears to involve prepared statement processing rather than traditional buffer management issues. From an adversary perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, though in this case the attack is executed locally. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how database engine flaws can create cascading availability issues that can affect entire organizational systems relying on MySQL for critical data operations.
The remediation approach for CVE-2016-0649 requires immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to versions that contain the necessary security fixes. Organizations should prioritize updating their MySQL server deployments to versions 5.5.48, 5.6.29, or 5.7.11, respectively, depending on their current version. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring to detect unusual prepared statement processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to limit local system access where possible, and regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in database systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing comprehensive security monitoring for database environments.