CVE-2022-21635 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/19/2022
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.29 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized creation, deletion or modification access to critical data or all MySQL Server accessible data and unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 6.5 (Integrity and Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:H/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-21635 resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of Oracle MySQL Server affecting versions 8.0.29 and earlier. This represents a significant security flaw that operates at the core database layer where data integrity and availability are fundamentally compromised. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with relatively low technical barriers can leverage this weakness, particularly when they possess high-privileged network access to the target system. The attack vector through multiple protocols demonstrates the broad accessibility of this flaw, making it particularly dangerous in environments where MySQL servers are exposed to network traffic. The CVSS score of 6.5 reflects the substantial impact on both integrity and availability aspects of the database system, with the potential for complete denial of service conditions that can bring database operations to a halt.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves a flaw in the InnoDB storage engine's handling of certain database operations that can be manipulated by an attacker with elevated privileges. This allows for unauthorized modification of critical database contents, enabling attackers to delete, create, or alter sensitive information without proper authorization. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple data manipulation to include the potential for system instability, where successful exploitation can cause the MySQL server to hang or experience frequent crashes. This complete denial of service capability represents a severe operational risk that can disrupt business continuity and data availability for organizations relying on MySQL databases. The combination of integrity and availability impacts means that attackers can simultaneously compromise data consistency and system reliability, creating cascading effects throughout dependent applications and services.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses improper restriction of operations within a limited scope, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1484.001 which covers "Create or Modify System Process: Windows Service" in the context of database system compromise. Organizations utilizing MySQL Server versions prior to 8.0.30 should immediately implement mitigations as the vulnerability can be exploited by attackers who gain network access to the database server. The high privilege requirement for exploitation suggests that this vulnerability is typically not accessible to casual attackers but poses significant risk in environments where insider threats exist or where network segmentation is insufficient. The vulnerability's impact on both data integrity and system availability makes it particularly concerning for mission-critical applications that depend on database reliability and data consistency.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-21635 extends beyond immediate data compromise to include potential business disruption and regulatory compliance issues. Organizations must consider the broader implications of unauthorized data modification, especially in environments subject to data protection regulations such as GDPR or HIPAA where data integrity is paramount. The potential for complete system crashes means that organizations may experience extended downtime while system recovery operations are performed, leading to productivity losses and potential revenue impacts. Security teams should implement comprehensive monitoring solutions to detect anomalous database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing proper access controls to minimize the attack surface. Organizations should prioritize patch management processes to ensure that MySQL Server installations are updated to versions that contain the necessary security fixes for this vulnerability.