This case study documents the successful recovery of a MySQL 5.7 database on a Linux server following a malicious cyberattack. By performing low-level file system fragmentation analysis, the AS Data Recovery team bypassed the attacker’s sabotage to achieve a 100% data restoration.

Client & Data Information

• Client Name: Confidential
• Data Type: MySQL 5.7 (Linux Environment)
• Data Capacity: 5 GB
• Primary Issue: Database Hack / Complete Table Deletion / Ransom Note (README_TO_RECOVER_AAGB)

Incident Summary

The client’s Linux-based server was compromised by an attacker who deleted the entire MySQL 5.7 data directory and left a ransom note file. This attack targeted the physical .ibd and .frm files, causing an immediate shutdown of the client’s web services. Unlike a simple logical deletion, the attacker attempted to wipe the physical storage path to ensure data was unrecoverable through standard database commands.

Technical Analysis

Upon forensic analysis of the Linux EXT4/XFS partition, AS Data Recovery engineers identified:

• Unallocated Space Persistence: Although the directory entries were removed, the physical data blocks (fragments) of the MySQL tables remained in the disk’s unallocated space.
• Fragmentation Challenge: Because MySQL files on Linux often become fragmented over time, standard undelete utilities were unable to reconstruct the files correctly.
• Recovery Feasibility: Using our proprietary MySQL Fragmentation Recovery Tool, we were able to scan the raw disk sectors to identify and “stitch” together the orphan InnoDB data pages.

Recovery Solution

The recovery strategy focused on Raw Sector Carving and Fragment Reassembly. Our team performed a deep-sector scan of the Linux partition to locate InnoDB page headers. By analyzing the page numbers and log sequence numbers (LSNs), we reconstructed the physical table files and extracted the relational data into a fresh, secure MySQL 5.7 instance.

Recovery Process

• Forensic Partition Imaging: Created a bit-for-bit image of the Linux server’s storage to prevent any further data being overwritten by system logs.
• Physical Fragment Scanning: Utilized specialized tools to carve MySQL data pages directly from the raw disk sectors.
• InnoDB Page Mapping: Reassembled the scattered fragments into coherent table structures, ensuring the data dictionary was properly restored.
• Database Rebuild: Imported the parsed data into a new, hardened MySQL 5.7 environment.
• Final Integrity Audit: The client verified the restored tables and confirmed a 100% recovery of all critical business records.

Recovery Results

• Recovery Integrity: 100%
• Recovered Files: MySQL 5.7 Physical Table Files (.ibd)
• System Status: Database fully restored and returned to production.
• Total Recovery Time: 4 Hours

Expert Reminder from AS Data Recovery: When a database is deleted on a Linux server, unmount the partition or power down the system immediately. Linux background processes (like journaling and logs) can quickly overwrite deleted fragments. Contact AS Data Recovery professionals immediately for emergency 24/7 database restoration. We guarantee 100% original recovery for specific failures, regardless of database size.