CVE-2020-14829 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.21 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14829 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server's InnoDB storage engine component. This flaw affects MySQL versions 8.0.21 and earlier, making it particularly concerning given the widespread adoption of this database platform across enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to disrupt database services, potentially leading to complete system unavailability. The CVSS base score of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, though the potential for complete denial of service makes this threat particularly dangerous in production environments where database uptime is critical.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from issues within the InnoDB storage engine's handling of specific database operations that can trigger system instability. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users. This behavior aligns with the availability impact category as defined by the Common Weakness Enumeration (CWE) framework, specifically mapping to CWE-400 which encompasses weaknesses that can lead to resource exhaustion or system instability. The attack vector requires network access and high privileges, suggesting that the vulnerability may be exploited through internal network access or by compromised accounts with elevated permissions, making it particularly concerning for environments where privilege escalation is a potential concern.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of CVE-2020-14829 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect business continuity and data availability. Organizations relying on MySQL 8.0.21 or earlier versions face significant risk of service interruptions that could cascade into broader operational issues, especially in environments where database availability is critical for application functionality. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeated crashes means that even if initial exploitation is detected and mitigated, the system may remain unstable and require manual intervention to restore normal operations. This type of vulnerability particularly aligns with tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the 'Impact' category, specifically targeting system availability as a means of disrupting operations. The attack requires network access and high privileges, suggesting that organizations should focus on network segmentation and privilege management as part of their defense-in-depth strategy.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to address this vulnerability, as Oracle has released updates to resolve the issue in later versions. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched environments to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing applications. Network segmentation strategies should be implemented to limit the potential attack surface, while privileged account monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual activity that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also implement robust monitoring for database service stability and availability, as the vulnerability's behavior of causing repeated crashes can serve as an indicator of compromise. Additionally, organizations should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected MySQL versions within their environment and establish incident response procedures specifically addressing database availability attacks to minimize the impact of potential exploitation.