CVE-2020-14853 in MySQL Cluster
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2020
Vulnerability in the MySQL Cluster product of Oracle MySQL (component: Cluster: NDBCluster Plugin). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.21 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows low privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Cluster. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized update, insert or delete access to some of MySQL Cluster accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a partial denial of service (partial DOS) of MySQL Cluster. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.6 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-14853 resides within Oracle MySQL Cluster's NDBCluster plugin component, representing a significant security weakness that affects MySQL Cluster versions 8.0.21 and earlier. This flaw operates at the intersection of network accessibility and privilege escalation, creating a pathway for malicious actors to compromise cluster integrity and availability. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers can leverage relatively straightforward techniques to achieve their objectives, though they must rely on human interaction from individuals within the system who are not part of the attack vector itself. The affected component specifically targets the NDBCluster plugin which serves as the core mechanism for managing distributed data within MySQL Cluster environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for organizations relying on distributed database architectures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and authentication mechanisms within the NDBCluster plugin, allowing low-privileged attackers with network connectivity to perform unauthorized operations on the database cluster. The attack requires minimal complexity to execute, as indicated by the CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.6, which reflects the balance between exploitability and impact across integrity and availability dimensions. The vulnerability's vector demonstrates that attackers can leverage multiple network protocols to gain access, suggesting that the flaw exists at a protocol level rather than being confined to a single communication channel. The requirement for human interaction implies that while network access alone is insufficient, social engineering or insider collaboration can complete the attack chain, making this vulnerability particularly insidious in environments where trust relationships are prevalent.
The operational impact of CVE-2020-14853 extends beyond simple data compromise to include partial denial of service conditions that can severely disrupt business operations. Successful exploitation enables attackers to perform unauthorized update, insert, or delete operations against specific portions of the MySQL Cluster's accessible data, potentially leading to data corruption or loss. The partial denial of service aspect can degrade system performance or render specific cluster functions unavailable, affecting database availability for legitimate users. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and reflects patterns commonly seen in distributed database systems where plugin components may not properly enforce security boundaries. The CVSS vector specifically indicates that while the attacker requires low privileges and human interaction, the potential for both integrity and availability impacts makes this a serious concern for database administrators and security teams managing MySQL Cluster environments.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to MySQL Cluster versions 8.0.22 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed, along with network segmentation and access control measures to limit exposure. The requirement for human interaction suggests that user education and awareness programs should be enhanced to prevent social engineering attacks that could complement network-based exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual database access patterns or unauthorized modifications to cluster data. The vulnerability's classification as affecting multiple protocols indicates that network-level controls should be implemented across all communication channels that could potentially be exploited. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify any other systems or components that might be similarly affected by access control weaknesses in distributed database environments, ensuring that their overall security posture remains robust against evolving threats that target distributed computing infrastructures.