CVE-2016-0656 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.7.10 and earlier allows local users to affect availability via vectors related to InnoDB, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-0654.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0656 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.7.10 and earlier. This issue resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of the database software, which serves as the default storage engine for MySQL and handles critical database operations including transaction management, row-level locking, and data integrity. The vulnerability manifests as a local privilege escalation threat that can compromise system availability through InnoDB-related operations. Unlike CVE-2016-0654 which addresses different aspects of the same software component, CVE-2016-0656 specifically targets the InnoDB subsystem's handling of certain database operations that could be exploited by local attackers with system access.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of specific InnoDB operations that can lead to denial of service conditions or system instability. When local users execute crafted database operations or access specific InnoDB structures, the vulnerability can cause the database service to crash or become unresponsive. The flaw likely involves memory management issues, resource allocation problems, or improper error handling within the InnoDB storage engine's internal processes. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-119 category of "Improper Access to Memory" or potentially CWE-476 which addresses "NULL Pointer Dereference" scenarios that can occur during database engine operations. The InnoDB engine's complex transaction handling and locking mechanisms create potential entry points where malformed operations can trigger unexpected behavior in the database service.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to database availability and system reliability. Local users who can access the system with basic user privileges can potentially cause database service disruptions that may affect business operations, data access, and overall system performance. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as database crashes can lead to data corruption, transaction rollbacks, and extended downtime while administrators work to restore services. Organizations running MySQL versions affected by this vulnerability face potential financial losses due to service interruptions, increased administrative overhead, and possible data integrity issues that may require extensive recovery procedures. The local nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require network access or special authentication credentials, making the vulnerability particularly concerning for systems with multiple local users or compromised accounts.
Security practitioners should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of MySQL where available, applying the relevant Oracle security patches, and implementing proper access controls to limit local user privileges. System administrators should monitor database logs for unusual activity patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts and consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify abnormal database behavior. The vulnerability's classification as a local privilege escalation issue aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 which covers "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1499 which addresses "Network Denial of Service" through system resource exhaustion. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality. Additionally, implementing proper database access controls, regular security audits, and maintaining up-to-date security patches should be standard practices to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.