CVE-2016-8290 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL 5.7.13 and earlier allows remote administrators to affect availability via vectors related to Server: Performance Schema, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-5633.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8290 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.7.13 and earlier. This weakness resides within the Server Performance Schema component, which is designed to monitor and collect performance data from the database server. The vulnerability enables remote administrative attackers to disrupt service availability, making it particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical. Unlike CVE-2016-5633 which addressed different attack vectors, CVE-2016-8290 specifically targets the performance monitoring infrastructure, creating potential for denial of service conditions that can severely impact database operations and business continuity.
The technical flaw manifests through improper handling of certain performance schema operations that can lead to resource exhaustion or system instability when exploited by remote administrators. The Performance Schema in MySQL serves as a diagnostic tool that collects detailed information about server performance, including thread activity, file I/O operations, and query execution statistics. When an attacker with administrative privileges manipulates specific performance schema tables or queries, the system can become overwhelmed with processing requests or encounter memory allocation issues that result in service disruption. This vulnerability operates at the server level and leverages the elevated privileges of administrative accounts to execute malicious performance schema operations that trigger system instability.
From an operational impact perspective, CVE-2016-8290 presents a substantial risk to database availability and system reliability. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face potential downtime scenarios that can affect multiple applications dependent on database services. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers do not require physical access to the system, making it particularly concerning for cloud environments and distributed database deployments. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause database server processes to crash, become unresponsive, or consume excessive system resources, leading to cascading failures that impact application availability and user access. The specific attack vectors related to Performance Schema operations can be particularly insidious as they may not immediately trigger obvious alerts, allowing for prolonged disruption without detection.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to MySQL versions that address this vulnerability, typically those beyond 5.7.13. The recommended approach involves applying the latest security patches from Oracle, which contain fixes specifically targeting the Performance Schema exploitation vectors. Network segmentation and access control measures should be strengthened to limit administrative privileges to only necessary personnel, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual Performance Schema activity patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. Additionally, implementing regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing specifically targeting database server components can help identify and remediate similar weaknesses before they can be exploited. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400 which addresses unspecified resource management issues, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks targeting database services. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous administrative behavior patterns consistent with this vulnerability's exploitation methods.