CVE-2022-21625 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/19/2022
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.30 and prior. Difficult to exploit vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21625 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL, affecting versions 8.0.30 and earlier. This issue represents a significant availability risk that can be exploited by attackers with high privileges and network access through multiple protocols. The vulnerability operates at a foundational level within the database server's query execution engine, specifically targeting the optimizer's handling of certain SQL operations that can lead to system instability. The affected component falls under the broader category of database server optimization logic that processes and executes complex query structures.
The technical flaw manifests when the MySQL Server's optimizer encounters specific query patterns that trigger memory management issues or execution path anomalies. This particular vulnerability is classified as difficult to exploit due to the requirement for an attacker to possess high privileged access, typically corresponding to administrative or root-level database user accounts. The attack vector requires network connectivity to the MySQL service, allowing the malicious actor to submit crafted queries that manipulate the optimizer's behavior. The vulnerability's classification as CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.4 with availability impact indicates that successful exploitation results in a complete denial of service condition, potentially causing the database server to hang or repeatedly crash. This behavior aligns with CWE-476 which addresses NULL pointer dereferences and similar memory access violations in database systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database availability is critical for business operations across virtually all organizations relying on MySQL for data persistence. When a MySQL server experiences complete denial of service through this vulnerability, it can cascade into broader system failures affecting applications, web services, and enterprise workflows that depend on database connectivity. The repeated crash scenario indicates that the system may not recover gracefully from the exploitation, potentially requiring manual intervention and system restarts. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where database availability is paramount, such as financial services, healthcare systems, and e-commerce platforms where database downtime can result in significant financial losses and operational disruption. The attack surface is broad given that MySQL is widely deployed across various industries, making this vulnerability potentially impactful for numerous organizations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server instances to address this vulnerability, as the CVSS score indicates a moderate to high risk level. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to MySQL Server version 8.0.31 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the optimizer component. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized personnel can access database servers with high privilege accounts. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual query patterns or system behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can identify and alert on potentially malicious SQL operations targeting the optimizer component. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under the privilege escalation and denial of service categories, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security controls that address both access control and system resilience. Organizations should also conduct thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure compatibility with existing database applications and configurations.