CVE-2016-5584 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.52 and earlier, 5.6.33 and earlier, and 5.7.15 and earlier allows remote administrators to affect confidentiality via vectors related to Server: Security: Encryption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5584 resides within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting multiple version streams including 5.5.52 and earlier, 5.6.33 and earlier, and 5.7.15 and earlier releases. This security flaw operates at the server level within the encryption subsystem, representing a critical weakness that could compromise data confidentiality when exploited by remote administrative actors. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though the classification as a server-side encryption issue suggests fundamental weaknesses in how MySQL handles cryptographic operations or encryption protocols during administrative sessions.
This vulnerability operates within the broader context of database security where encryption mechanisms are crucial for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access. The fact that it specifically affects remote administrators indicates that the flaw may involve weaknesses in authentication protocols, key management, or encryption implementation that could allow attackers to intercept or manipulate encrypted communications between administrative clients and MySQL servers. The impact on confidentiality suggests that sensitive data could be exposed through the exploitation of this vulnerability, potentially including database credentials, user information, or other protected data elements.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations relying on MySQL for their database infrastructure, particularly those with remote administrative access requirements. The attack vector involving remote administrators means that malicious actors could potentially exploit this weakness from outside the network perimeter, making it especially dangerous for organizations with exposed database servers. The timing of the vulnerability in older MySQL versions indicates that organizations may have been running unsupported releases, increasing their exposure to such attacks.
The technical implications of this vulnerability align with CWE-310, which covers cryptographic weaknesses, and may also relate to CWE-295 for certificate validation issues or CWE-312 for exposure of sensitive information. This flaw could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1071.004 for application layer protocol, specifically targeting database communication protocols. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation, disabling unnecessary remote administrative access, and ensuring all database systems are running supported, patched versions to mitigate this risk effectively.
The vulnerability highlights the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing proper security controls around administrative access. Organizations should conduct thorough assessments of their MySQL deployments to identify all affected versions and implement immediate patches or workarounds while planning for comprehensive system updates. Regular security audits should include database encryption configurations and administrative access controls to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.
The remediation approach should involve immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest supported releases, which would address the underlying encryption implementation flaws. Additionally, organizations should implement network monitoring solutions to detect unusual administrative access patterns and establish robust key management practices for database encryption. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of comprehensive security testing and the need for organizations to maintain current security patches across all database systems to prevent exploitation by threat actors targeting database encryption weaknesses.