CVE-2016-3614 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.6.30 and earlier and 5.7.12 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to Server: Security: Encryption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3614 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems that affects multiple versions including 5.6.30 and earlier, as well as 5.7.12 and earlier releases. This issue resides within the server's security encryption mechanisms and specifically impacts authenticated remote users who can potentially disrupt system availability. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description suggests that the exact technical implementation details were not fully disclosed in the initial reporting, which is common with certain types of security flaws that may involve complex interactions between multiple system components.
The technical flaw manifests within the encryption subsystem of MySQL servers, where authenticated users can exploit weaknesses in how the system handles security protocols during encryption operations. This vulnerability operates at the server level and leverages the authentication mechanisms that allow remote access to the database system. The impact occurs specifically when users leverage vectors related to server security encryption, which typically involves the cryptographic operations that protect data transmission and storage within the database environment. The flaw likely involves improper handling of encryption keys, certificate validation, or cryptographic protocol implementation that creates opportunities for availability disruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a serious threat to database availability and system stability. Remote authenticated users who can establish connections to the MySQL server can potentially cause service disruption through exploitation of the encryption-related weakness. The impact extends beyond simple data access restrictions to encompass broader system availability concerns that could result in denial of service conditions. Organizations relying on MySQL database systems for critical operations face significant risks as this vulnerability could be exploited to render database services unavailable, impacting business continuity and data accessibility. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat actor must have legitimate credentials to access the system, but once inside, they can leverage the encryption weakness to cause availability issues.
The vulnerability aligns with several cybersecurity frameworks and threat models, particularly those addressing credential-based attacks and service availability concerns. From a CWE perspective, this issue likely relates to weaknesses in cryptographic implementations or security protocols that fall under categories such as CWE-310 and CWE-320, which address cryptographic weaknesses and key management issues. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with the MITRE ATT&CK framework's credential access and defense evasion tactics, where attackers leverage legitimate access to cause system instability. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader threat landscape assessment, particularly when evaluating their database security posture and incident response capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-3614 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain fixes for the encryption-related vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the scope of potential exploitation by authenticated users. Monitoring and logging of database connection activities, particularly around encryption-related operations, should be enhanced to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and principle of least privilege access controls can reduce the attack surface and limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific vulnerability to ensure comprehensive protection against similar encryption-related threats.