CVE-2016-0668 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.6.28 and earlier and 5.7.10 and earlier allows local users to affect availability via vectors related to InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-0668 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems that affects versions 5.6.28 and earlier, as well as 5.7.10 and earlier. This issue resides within the InnoDB storage engine, which serves as the default storage engine for MySQL and is responsible for handling transactional database operations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it is categorized as a local privilege escalation issue that could potentially compromise system availability. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning because they often allow attackers with limited access to escalate their privileges and cause system-wide disruptions.
The technical flaw manifests specifically within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of database operations, where local users can exploit weaknesses to manipulate system resources and potentially cause service interruptions. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper input validation or resource management within the database engine's core processes. The InnoDB engine's complexity and its role in managing concurrent transactions make it a prime target for exploitation, as any flaw in its operation could lead to denial of service conditions or unauthorized access to sensitive data. The vulnerability's local nature suggests that exploitation requires some level of system access, though the impact extends beyond simple privilege escalation to affect overall system availability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to database environments where MySQL is deployed, particularly in enterprise settings where database availability is critical for business operations. Local attackers who can access the system may leverage this weakness to cause database service outages, leading to potential data loss, service disruption, and financial impact. The vulnerability could be exploited through various means related to InnoDB operations, potentially causing database crashes, resource exhaustion, or other availability issues that would require system administrators to implement emergency response procedures. Organizations relying on MySQL for mission-critical applications would face significant operational challenges if this vulnerability were exploited in production environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-0668 should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL versions, as Oracle would have released security updates addressing the specific InnoDB vulnerability. System administrators should also implement monitoring solutions to detect unusual database behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Access controls should be strengthened to limit local user privileges, and regular security audits should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and database activity monitoring can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119, which addresses weak buffer access controls, and may map to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service operations. Organizations should also consider implementing defense-in-depth strategies that include regular vulnerability assessments, security configuration reviews, and incident response procedures tailored to database security incidents.