CVE-2022-21313 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 7.6.20 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 unauthorized read access to a subset 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 2.9 (Confidentiality and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:A/AC:H/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:L/I:N/A:L).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21313 represents a significant security weakness within Oracle MySQL Cluster's distributed database system, specifically affecting versions 7.6.20 and earlier, as well as 8.0.27 and prior releases. This flaw exists within the Cluster: General component of the MySQL Cluster architecture, which serves as the foundational framework for distributed database operations across multiple nodes. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions to be successfully leveraged, the potential impact on database security and availability makes it a serious concern for organizations relying on MySQL Cluster deployments. The attack vector analysis reveals that the vulnerability can be exploited by high-privileged attackers who have physical access to the communication segment connected to the hardware executing the MySQL Cluster, suggesting that this threat primarily targets environments where physical security controls may be insufficient.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient access controls and network security measures within the MySQL Cluster's communication protocols, allowing attackers with physical network access to potentially intercept or manipulate data flows between cluster nodes. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system places this vulnerability at a base score of 2.9, which falls into the low severity category, yet the combination of confidentiality and availability impacts creates a concerning threat landscape. The attack requires human interaction from individuals other than the attacker, indicating that social engineering or insider threat elements may be necessary for successful exploitation. This requirement suggests that the vulnerability might be more effectively exploited through targeted attacks involving legitimate users who have access to the network segment, rather than purely automated attacks. The security implications extend beyond simple data theft, as the vulnerability also enables partial denial of service conditions that can disrupt cluster operations and compromise system availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21313 manifests in two primary areas: unauthorized read access to subset of MySQL Cluster accessible data and partial denial of service capabilities. The unauthorized data access represents a confidentiality breach where attackers can potentially read sensitive information from the database cluster, while the partial denial of service component can disrupt cluster functionality and compromise system reliability. Organizations using MySQL Cluster deployments face the risk of data exposure and operational disruption, particularly in environments where physical network access controls are inadequate. The vulnerability's potential for causing partial DOS conditions means that even successful exploitation may not completely incapacitate the system but can significantly degrade performance and availability, creating operational challenges for database services. This type of vulnerability directly relates to CWE-284 (Improper Access Control) and CWE-310 (Cryptographic Issues) categories, as it involves inadequate access controls and potential communication security weaknesses. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this vulnerability under T1046 (Network Service Scanning) and potentially T1566 (Phishing) if social engineering components are involved, highlighting the multi-faceted nature of the threat.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21313 should focus on strengthening physical network security controls and implementing robust access management protocols within MySQL Cluster environments. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to supported versions of MySQL Cluster that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically versions beyond 7.6.20 and 8.0.27. Network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unauthorized access attempts and suspicious network activities on the communication segments connected to MySQL Cluster hardware. Implementing additional authentication mechanisms and access controls within the cluster configuration can help limit the impact of potential exploitation. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in the network infrastructure. The implementation of network intrusion detection systems and continuous monitoring of cluster communications can help identify potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should establish and maintain comprehensive incident response procedures specifically addressing distributed database security incidents, ensuring that security teams are prepared to respond effectively to potential exploitation of this vulnerability. Physical security measures, including access controls and monitoring of network access points, should be strengthened to prevent unauthorized physical access to the communication segments where MySQL Cluster nodes operate.