CVE-2016-3588 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.7.12 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect integrity and availability via vectors related to Server: InnoDB.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3588 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting versions 5.7.12 and earlier. This issue resides within the Server component specifically related to the InnoDB storage engine, which is the default storage engine for MySQL and handles transactional database operations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it is classified as affecting both data integrity and system availability. This classification places the vulnerability within the realm of critical database security issues that could potentially allow malicious actors to compromise database operations and data consistency.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access, meaning that an attacker must first obtain valid credentials to the MySQL server before being able to leverage this flaw. The InnoDB storage engine's involvement suggests that the vulnerability may be related to transaction handling, locking mechanisms, or data consistency protocols that govern how database operations are processed and maintained. Given that InnoDB is responsible for implementing ACID properties in MySQL, any compromise in this area could lead to data corruption, transaction failures, or denial of service conditions that affect the database's operational integrity.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3588 extends beyond simple data availability issues to encompass potential data integrity breaches that could compromise the reliability of database operations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability could potentially manipulate transaction sequences, cause database locks that prevent legitimate operations, or introduce inconsistencies in data storage that would affect application functionality. The combination of integrity and availability impacts means that systems could experience both data corruption and service disruption, creating cascading effects throughout dependent applications and services that rely on MySQL for data persistence. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database consistency is paramount and could lead to significant business disruption.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to address this vulnerability, as the remote authenticated attack vector indicates that systems exposed to the internet or networked environments pose elevated risk. The vulnerability's classification under the Server: InnoDB component aligns with CWE-119 which addresses memory safety issues and improper access to resources, while also potentially relating to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and data manipulation. Mitigation strategies should include implementing strict access controls, monitoring authentication attempts, and ensuring that all database systems are updated to patched versions. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules should be enforced to limit unnecessary access to MySQL services, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors that could leverage similar weaknesses in database infrastructure.