This case study documents the high-stakes recovery of a 51 GB MySQL 5.5 database after a targeted cyberattack. By performing a deep-level parse of the InnoDB system tablespace, the AS Data Recovery team achieved a 100% data restoration within hours of the breach.

Client & Data Information

• Client Name: Confidential
• Data Type: MySQL 5.5 (InnoDB Engine)
• Data Capacity: 51 GB
• Primary Issue: Database Hack / Table Deletion / Ransom Demand

Incident Summary

The client’s server was compromised by an external attacker who gained administrative access to the MySQL environment. The hacker executed a “Drop Table” command on all production databases and created a single new table named RECOVER_YOUR_DATA containing a ransom note. Because the attack occurred at the logical level, the client’s business operations were completely paralyzed.

Technical Analysis

Upon forensic analysis of the 51 GB data directory, AS Data Recovery engineers identified:

• System Tablespace Integrity: While the SQL commands had removed the table definitions from the schema, the raw data pages within the ibdata1 (InnoDB system tablespace) had not yet been overwritten by new data.
• Metadata Persistence: The internal data dictionary within the InnoDB engine still contained traces of the deleted table structures.
• Recovery Feasibility: Using our proprietary MySQL Forensic Parsing Tool, it was possible to scan the ibdata1 file at the byte level to locate and extract the orphan data pages.

Recovery Solution

The recovery strategy focused on Low-Level InnoDB Page Parsing. Our engineers bypassed the corrupted MySQL service and interacted directly with the storage files. By identifying the unique signatures of the deleted tables within the tablespace, we were able to reconstruct the rows and export them into a fresh, secure MySQL 5.5 instance.

Recovery Process

• Immediate Server Isolation: Halted all database services to prevent the ibdata1 file from expanding and overwriting the deleted data pages.
• Tablespace Forensic Scanning: Utilized AS Data Recovery’s specialized tools to parse the 51 GB ibdata1 file for deleted InnoDB page headers.
• Table Schema Reconstruction: Extracted the table structures and mapped the raw data back to their original columns and indexes.
• Data Migration & Import: Successfully restored the extracted data into a clean, hardened MySQL environment.
• Integrity Validation: The client performed a comprehensive audit of the restored tables, confirming a 100% recovery rate.

Recovery Results

• Recovery Integrity: 100% (All tables and records fully restored)
• Recovered Files: MySQL 5.5 InnoDB Tablespace
• System Status: Database fully operational and secured against future breaches.
• Total Recovery Time: 3 Hours

Expert Reminder from AS Data Recovery: In the event of a database hack, stop the database service immediately. Every second the service remains active, the system may overwrite the very data you are trying to save. Contact AS Data Recovery professionals immediately for emergency 24/7 database restoration. We guarantee recovery for specific failures regardless of database size.