CVE-2021-2007 in MySQL Client
Summary
by MITRE • 01/20/2021
Vulnerability in the MySQL Client product of Oracle MySQL (component: C API). Supported versions that are affected are 5.6.47 and prior, 5.7.29 and prior and 8.0.19 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Client. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Client accessible data. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 3.7 (Confidentiality impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:N).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-2007 represents a significant security flaw within the MySQL Client component, specifically within the C Application Programming Interface. This weakness affects multiple version streams of Oracle MySQL including the 5.6, 5.7, and 8.0 branches, with all versions prior to the specified patches being susceptible to exploitation. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-284 which relates to improper access control mechanisms, specifically manifesting as inadequate protection of client-side database access controls. The affected C API component serves as a critical interface for applications to communicate with MySQL databases, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems relying on client-side database connectivity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the MySQL Client library that processes network requests from external sources. Attackers can exploit this weakness through multiple network protocols without requiring authentication credentials, making the attack surface particularly broad. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 3.7, which indicates a low to medium severity classification with specific emphasis on confidentiality impacts. The attack vector assessment (AV:N) suggests network-based exploitation is possible, while the high attack complexity (AC:H) indicates that while the vulnerability is difficult to exploit, it remains achievable with sufficient technical knowledge. The lack of required privileges (PR:N) and user interaction (UI:N) means that an attacker can potentially compromise systems without additional authentication or user involvement, making this particularly dangerous in environments where network exposure is common.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting CVE-2021-2007 manifests as unauthorized read access to a subset of data that the MySQL Client has access to within the system. This data exposure represents a significant confidentiality breach that could potentially include sensitive database information, user credentials, or business-critical data depending on the application architecture. The scope of the vulnerability (S:U) indicates that the impact remains limited to the client-side component rather than affecting the broader system or network infrastructure. However, the unauthorized access capability could serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, potentially allowing threat actors to gather intelligence about database structures, user access patterns, or sensitive data repositories. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1071.004 which involves application layer protocol usage, specifically targeting database communication protocols.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating all affected MySQL Client installations to the patched versions released by Oracle, particularly focusing on the 5.6.47, 5.7.29, and 8.0.19 version thresholds. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be implemented to limit unnecessary access to MySQL client services, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. Regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify any remaining unpatched systems or applications that might be using vulnerable client libraries. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for unusual patterns or unauthorized access attempts to database client services can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The remediation process should also include reviewing and strengthening access controls for database client configurations, ensuring that only authorized applications and users can establish connections to database services, thereby reducing the likelihood of successful exploitation through this particular vulnerability pathway.