CVE-2016-5624 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.51 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to DML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5624 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting versions 5.5.51 and earlier. This issue falls under the category of availability impact, meaning that malicious actors can potentially disrupt database operations and service availability. The vulnerability specifically relates to Data Manipulation Language operations, which form the core of database interaction and data management functions. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though it is clearly tied to how MySQL processes DML statements from authenticated users.
The technical flaw manifests when authenticated users exploit certain conditions within the MySQL database engine that govern how Data Manipulation Language operations are executed. DML operations include standard SQL commands such as insert, update, delete, and select statements that form the backbone of database interaction. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause system instability or complete service disruption, potentially leading to denial of service conditions that affect database availability. The fact that this requires authentication suggests that the vulnerability operates within the context of legitimate user sessions, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited by users who already have access privileges.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to database environments that rely on MySQL 5.5.51 or earlier versions. Organizations utilizing these vulnerable database versions face potential service interruptions that could impact business operations, data integrity, and user access to critical applications. The remote nature of the attack means that threat actors do not need physical access to the database server, allowing them to exploit the vulnerability from external networks. This characteristic significantly expands the attack surface and makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to malicious actors seeking to disrupt database services. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect data consistency and application availability.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to the CWE-119 weakness category, which encompasses issues related to memory safety and improper handling of data access patterns. The ATT&CK framework would classify this vulnerability under the privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as attackers can leverage authenticated access to cause system-wide availability issues. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to mitigate this risk. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MySQL versions that have addressed this vulnerability, typically those beyond 5.5.51. Additionally, implementing network segmentation, access controls, and monitoring for unusual database activity can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within database infrastructure, ensuring comprehensive protection against both known and emerging threats in the database security landscape.