CVE-2022-21519 in MySQL Cluster
Summary
by MITRE • 07/20/2022
Vulnerability in the MySQL Cluster product of Oracle MySQL (component: Cluster: General). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.29 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows unauthenticated attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Cluster. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Cluster. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 5.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21519 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Cluster deployments, specifically affecting versions 8.0.29 and earlier. This flaw exists within the Cluster: General component of the MySQL Cluster product line, which serves as the foundational architecture for distributed database operations. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack vector requires some technical expertise, the potential impact on system availability makes it particularly concerning for enterprise environments relying on MySQL Cluster for critical database operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the cluster's communication protocols, allowing unauthenticated attackers with network access to exploit multiple protocols simultaneously. This weakness creates a pathway for malicious actors to inject malformed data or commands that trigger system instability. The vulnerability's CVSS score of 5.9 reflects the balance between the attack complexity and the severe availability impact, with the availability impact rated as high (A:H) due to the potential for complete denial of service conditions. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N) with high complexity (AC:H) suggesting that the exploitation requires specific conditions or knowledge about the target environment.
The operational impact of successful exploitation manifests as either a hang condition or a frequently repeatable crash scenario that can completely bring down the MySQL Cluster service. This type of vulnerability can have cascading effects across dependent applications and services that rely on database availability, potentially causing extended downtime for critical business operations. Organizations using MySQL Cluster for high-availability database solutions face particular risk, as the vulnerability can compromise the very functionality that the cluster was designed to provide. The complete denial of service condition means that legitimate users and applications cannot access the database resources, effectively shutting down business operations that depend on the database infrastructure.
The vulnerability's presence in MySQL Cluster environments creates a significant risk for organizations with distributed database architectures, particularly those that have not yet upgraded to versions beyond 8.0.29. The unauthenticated nature of the attack means that no valid credentials are required to attempt exploitation, making the system vulnerable to automated scanning and attack campaigns. Network-based exploitation capabilities suggest that attackers can leverage various protocols to reach the vulnerable cluster, potentially including TCP/IP connections, UDP traffic, or other communication channels used by the MySQL Cluster components. Organizations should implement immediate network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure while planning for the necessary software updates.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework, particularly under the initial access and execution phases where network-based attacks are commonly employed. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which covers "Improper Input Validation," and represents a classic example of how insufficient validation can lead to availability-based attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify unusual traffic patterns or protocol violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. The CVSS vector indicates that while the attack requires some technical knowledge, the potential for complete system compromise makes this vulnerability a priority for remediation across all affected MySQL Cluster deployments.