CVE-2016-3477 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.49 and earlier, 5.6.30 and earlier, and 5.7.12 and earlier and MariaDB before 5.5.50, 10.0.x before 10.0.26, and 10.1.x before 10.1.15 allows local users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to Server: Parser.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3477 represents a critical security flaw affecting multiple database systems including Oracle MySQL and MariaDB. This issue resides within the server parser component of these database engines, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by local attackers to compromise the fundamental security properties of the affected systems. The vulnerability affects a wide range of versions including MySQL 5.5.49 and earlier, 5.6.30 and earlier, and 5.7.12 and earlier, alongside MariaDB versions before specific patch releases. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability vector indicates that it likely encompasses multiple attack pathways within the parser module that processes database commands and queries.
The technical flaw manifests in the server parser's handling of input data, where inadequate validation or processing of malformed or specially crafted inputs can lead to unauthorized access to database contents, modification of critical data structures, and potential system disruption. This parser-based vulnerability allows local users to exploit weaknesses in how database commands are interpreted and executed, potentially enabling privilege escalation or data manipulation attacks. The impact extends across all three core security principles: confidentiality through data exposure, integrity through data corruption or modification, and availability through potential service disruption or denial of access. The parser component serves as a crucial interface between client applications and database storage, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking persistent access to sensitive information.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to database environments where local access is possible, as local users typically have elevated privileges compared to remote attackers. The impact can range from data theft and manipulation to complete service degradation, potentially affecting business continuity and regulatory compliance. Organizations running affected database versions face potential exposure to insider threats or compromised local accounts, with the vulnerability potentially enabling attackers to access sensitive customer data, financial records, or proprietary information. The widespread nature of affected versions means that many production systems remain vulnerable, particularly those that have not been updated to recent patch releases.
Security mitigations for CVE-2016-3477 primarily involve applying the appropriate vendor patches and updates to eliminate the parser vulnerability. Organizations should immediately upgrade to patched versions of Oracle MySQL 5.5.50, 5.6.31, 5.7.13, and corresponding MariaDB versions. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and access controls can reduce the attack surface by limiting local access to database systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited access scope, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and data manipulation. Regular security assessments and database monitoring should be implemented to detect potential exploitation attempts, while maintaining comprehensive audit logs to track access patterns and identify anomalous behavior in database environments.