CVE-2016-9050 in Database Server
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists in the client message-parsing functionality of Aerospike Database Server 3.10.0.3. A specially crafted packet can cause an out-of-bounds read resulting in disclosure of memory within the process, the same vulnerability can also be used to trigger a denial of service. An attacker can simply connect to the port and send the packet to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2026
The CVE-2016-9050 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the Aerospike Database Server version 3.10.0.3 client message parsing mechanism. This vulnerability resides in the server's protocol handling layer where incoming network packets are processed and interpreted for database operations. The flaw manifests when the server receives specially crafted network packets that exploit improper bounds checking during message parsing, leading to memory access violations that can be leveraged by remote attackers without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it operates at the network protocol level, making it accessible to any entity capable of establishing a connection to the targeted Aerospike server instance.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the message parsing routines that handle client-server communications. When processing malformed packets, the server fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations, resulting in a read operation that extends beyond allocated memory regions. This out-of-bounds memory access can expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations including potential database credentials, session tokens, or other confidential information stored within the process memory space. The vulnerability's classification as a CWE-129 weakness indicates improper input validation, while its exploitation pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through network services. The flaw's design allows attackers to craft packets that trigger memory corruption conditions, potentially leading to information disclosure or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9050 extends beyond simple information disclosure to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform memory dumps that may reveal database connection strings, user credentials, or other sensitive operational data stored in memory. The same exploit conditions that enable information disclosure can also be used to trigger denial of service scenarios by causing memory access violations that crash the Aerospike server process. This dual nature makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it provides both reconnaissance capabilities for attackers and the means to disrupt database services. Organizations running affected Aerospike versions face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability requires no authentication and can be exploited through standard network connections, making it an attractive target for automated scanning and exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9050 should prioritize immediate patch deployment from Aerospike, as version 3.10.0.4 and later releases contain the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. Network segmentation and access control measures should be implemented to limit exposure of Aerospike servers to untrusted networks, while firewall rules can restrict access to the database ports to known and trusted IP addresses only. Regular monitoring of network traffic for suspicious packet patterns and anomalous connection attempts can help detect exploitation attempts, while intrusion detection systems should be configured to alert on malformed protocol messages. Organizations should also implement comprehensive logging and audit trails to track access to database services and monitor for potential exploitation activities. The vulnerability's remediation aligns with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks, emphasizing the importance of timely patch management and network access controls. Additionally, implementing network-based security controls such as deep packet inspection and protocol validation can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.