CVE-2016-5626 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.5.51 and earlier, 5.6.32 and earlier, and 5.7.14 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to GIS.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5626 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL database systems affecting multiple version ranges including 5.5.51 and earlier, 5.6.32 and earlier, and 5.7.14 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the database's handling of Geographic Information System data processing capabilities, creating potential for service disruption and availability compromise. The vulnerability exists within the database's spatial data handling mechanisms and represents a critical concern for organizations relying on MySQL for spatial database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain Geographic Information System operations within the MySQL database engine. When authenticated users execute specific spatial data queries or operations, the database system can become vulnerable to conditions that lead to service unavailability or denial of service scenarios. This flaw typically manifests during processing of complex spatial data structures or when performing certain GIS operations that involve geometric calculations or spatial indexing. The vulnerability operates at the database engine level where spatial data types are processed, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through legitimate database access channels.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for database availability and system stability. Remote authenticated users who can access the MySQL database can potentially disrupt services by triggering conditions that cause database processes to crash or become unresponsive. The availability impact is particularly concerning because it can affect critical business operations that depend on spatial data processing capabilities. Organizations using MySQL for mapping services, geographic information systems, or any application requiring spatial database functionality face significant risk of service disruption when this vulnerability is exploited.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a sphere of influence, and represents a denial of service condition that can be exploited through authenticated database connections. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to Network Denial of Service, where adversaries can consume system resources or cause system failures through database manipulation. The attack surface is expanded by the fact that authenticated access is sufficient to exploit this vulnerability, meaning that any user with legitimate database credentials could potentially cause availability issues.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to address this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy includes applying the latest Oracle security patches and updates specifically designed to address this GIS-related denial of service condition. Database administrators should also consider implementing additional monitoring and logging of spatial data operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be reviewed to minimize the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized users have access to spatial database functionality. Regular vulnerability assessments and security audits should be conducted to identify similar issues within the database infrastructure. Additionally, implementing database activity monitoring solutions can help detect anomalous spatial data processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts.