CVE-2022-21289 in MySQL Cluster
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Vulnerability in the MySQL Cluster product of Oracle MySQL (component: Cluster: General). Supported versions that are affected are 7.4.34 and prior, 7.5.24 and prior, 7.6.20 and prior and 8.0.27 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with access to the physical communication segment attached to the hardware where the MySQL Cluster executes to compromise MySQL Cluster. Successful attacks require human interaction from a person other than the attacker. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of MySQL Cluster. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.3 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21289 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Cluster's implementation, specifically affecting multiple version lines including 7.4.34 and earlier, 7.5.24 and earlier, 7.6.20 and earlier, and 8.0.27 and earlier. This weakness resides within the Cluster: General component of the MySQL Cluster product, which serves as the foundational architecture for distributed database operations. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions and circumstances to be successfully leveraged, the potential impact remains severe enough to warrant immediate attention. The attack vector requires an attacker to have physical access to the communication segment connected to the hardware hosting the MySQL Cluster, which creates a unique but potentially dangerous threat landscape for organizations operating distributed database environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient security controls within the MySQL Cluster's network communication protocols, particularly in how the system handles authentication and authorization processes when operating in distributed environments. The CVSS score of 6.3 reflects the combination of high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impacts that could be achieved through successful exploitation. The attack requires high privileged access, suggesting that an attacker must already possess elevated credentials or system-level privileges within the network segment. Additionally, the vulnerability necessitates human interaction from someone other than the attacker, indicating that the exploit may require social engineering elements or specific operational conditions that involve legitimate users. This requirement adds complexity to the attack but does not diminish the severity of the potential compromise.
The operational impact of successfully exploiting CVE-2022-21289 could result in complete takeover of the MySQL Cluster, effectively granting an attacker full control over the distributed database system. This level of compromise would allow unauthorized access to all stored data, potential modification of database contents, and complete disruption of database services. The availability impact is particularly concerning as an attacker could potentially cause service outages or data unavailability that would affect business operations. The confidentiality impact extends beyond simple data access to include the potential for data exfiltration and exposure of sensitive information stored within the cluster environment. Organizations relying on MySQL Cluster for critical database operations face significant risk if this vulnerability remains unaddressed, particularly in environments where physical security controls may be insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing comprehensive network segmentation and access controls to prevent unauthorized physical access to the communication segments hosting MySQL Cluster instances. Organizations should ensure that only authorized personnel have physical access to these systems and that proper network monitoring is in place to detect unusual activity. The recommended approach includes applying the latest security patches and updates from Oracle to address the specific vulnerability in affected versions. Network security controls such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and access control lists should be configured to limit communication between cluster nodes and restrict access to management interfaces. Additionally, implementing multi-factor authentication and strong credential management practices can help reduce the risk of privilege escalation. Organizations should also consider conducting regular security assessments and penetration testing to identify potential weaknesses in their distributed database environments. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and lateral movement within network segments. Regular monitoring of system logs and implementing security information and event management (SIEM) solutions can provide early detection capabilities for potential exploitation attempts.