CVE-2022-21363 in MySQL Connectors
Summary
by MITRE • 01/19/2022
Vulnerability in the MySQL Connectors product of Oracle MySQL (component: Connector/J). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.27 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Connectors. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in takeover of MySQL Connectors. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.6 (Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21363 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Connectors, specifically affecting Connector/J components in versions 8.0.27 and earlier. This vulnerability operates within the broader context of database connectivity infrastructure where applications rely on secure communication channels between client applications and database servers. The affected MySQL Connectors serve as critical intermediaries in database operations, facilitating connections and data exchange between applications and the MySQL database management system. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions and privileged access, the potential impact makes it a serious concern for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL environments.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient validation mechanisms within the Connector/J component that processes network requests from client applications. Attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the MySQL Connectors functionality, potentially leading to complete system takeover. The CVSS score of 6.6 reflects the severity of impacts across confidentiality, integrity, and availability domains, indicating that successful exploitation could result in unauthorized access to sensitive data, modification of database contents, and disruption of database services. The attack vector requires network access with high privileges, suggesting that the vulnerability might be exploited through authenticated network connections or by attackers who have already gained some level of system access. The vulnerability's presence in Connector/J components means that any application using these connectors for database communication could be at risk, particularly in environments where database connectivity is critical for business operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data compromise, as it can lead to complete system takeover scenarios that undermine the fundamental security posture of MySQL deployments. Organizations relying on MySQL Connectors for their database applications face potential exposure to data breaches, service disruptions, and unauthorized access to critical business information. The vulnerability affects multiple protocols, indicating that attackers can potentially exploit it through various communication channels, making detection and mitigation more challenging. This weakness creates opportunities for attackers to establish persistent access to database systems, potentially enabling them to exfiltrate sensitive data, modify database contents, or disrupt database availability. The implications are particularly severe in enterprise environments where MySQL databases often contain sensitive customer information, financial records, or other critical data assets.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-21363 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Connector/J components to version 8.0.28 or later, which contains the necessary security fixes. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of MySQL Connectors to untrusted networks, aligning with principle of least privilege concepts from cybersecurity frameworks. Network monitoring and intrusion detection systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of access to database connectors, particularly those involving high privilege accounts. Security professionals should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected connectors within their environments and ensure proper configuration of authentication mechanisms. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to insufficient input validation and privilege escalation aligns with common attack patterns documented in MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically targeting database systems and credential access techniques. Regular security updates and patch management processes should be reinforced to prevent similar vulnerabilities from remaining unaddressed in future deployments.