CVE-2016-5441 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.7.12 and earlier allows remote administrators to affect availability via vectors related to Server: Replication.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5441 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.7.12 and earlier. This issue resides within the server replication functionality, which is a critical component for database high availability and disaster recovery operations. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical flaw has not been publicly detailed, but its classification as an availability impact suggests that adversaries can potentially disrupt database services through manipulation of replication mechanisms. The fact that this affects remote administrators indicates the vulnerability can be exploited from outside the local network, making it particularly concerning for database environments with external access points. This vulnerability directly impacts the operational integrity of MySQL deployments where replication is actively configured and utilized for maintaining database consistency across multiple server instances.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through replication-related vectors that target the MySQL server's handling of replication events or processes. When replication is configured between master and slave servers, the vulnerability can be triggered during replication operations, potentially causing the affected MySQL server to become unresponsive or crash entirely. This disruption can cascade through replication chains, affecting multiple database instances if cascading replication is configured. The attack surface is particularly broad since replication is commonly implemented in production environments for load distribution, backup strategies, and geographic distribution of database services. The vulnerability's classification as affecting availability rather than confidentiality or integrity suggests that while the database may not be directly compromised with unauthorized data access, the service disruption can have severe operational consequences for businesses relying on continuous database availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5441 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential business continuity issues and data availability risks. Organizations utilizing MySQL replication for critical database operations may experience significant downtime when this vulnerability is exploited, particularly if replication is configured across multiple geographic locations or if cascading replication is in place. The remote nature of the attack vector means that organizations with external administrative access points or exposed replication ports are particularly vulnerable. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers "Endpoint Denial of Service" and may also relate to CWE-400 which addresses "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" or CWE-119 which covers "Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer" depending on the specific implementation details of the flaw. The impact is particularly severe in environments where database replication is used for disaster recovery or high availability configurations, as the vulnerability could potentially be used to create complete service outages.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigation strategies including applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates to address the vulnerability. Network segmentation should be enforced to limit access to replication ports and administrative interfaces, while monitoring should be implemented to detect anomalous replication behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The use of firewall rules to restrict replication traffic to trusted networks and the implementation of robust access controls for administrative accounts can help reduce the attack surface. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their replication configurations and consider implementing redundant replication strategies that can maintain service availability even if one replication channel is compromised. Regular security audits of MySQL installations should include verification of replication security settings and proper patch management procedures to ensure timely remediation of such availability-focused vulnerabilities.