CVE-2023-22005 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/19/2023
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Replication). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.33 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 • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22005 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server's replication functionality. This flaw exists in the Server: Replication component of MySQL versions 8.0.33 and earlier, making it a critical concern for database administrators managing production environments. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while the attack requires specific conditions, the potential impact on system availability makes it particularly dangerous. The CVSS base score of 4.4 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, though the complete denial of service potential cannot be understated in production database environments where uptime is critical.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from how MySQL Server handles replication operations, specifically within the server component that manages database replication processes. Attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this flaw to trigger a hang condition or cause frequently repeatable crashes that effectively result in a complete denial of service. The vulnerability's accessibility through multiple protocols suggests that various attack vectors could be exploited, potentially including direct network connections to the MySQL server or through intermediary systems that communicate with the database. The requirement for high privileged access indicates that attackers would need to have already established some level of administrative access or credentials within the system's security boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service interruption, as database availability is fundamental to most enterprise applications and services. When a MySQL server experiences a complete denial of service through this vulnerability, it can cascade through dependent systems, potentially affecting multiple applications that rely on database connectivity. The fact that the crash is described as frequently repeatable means that an attacker could potentially maintain persistent availability issues rather than simply causing a one-time disruption. This characteristic makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for organizations that depend on MySQL for mission-critical operations, as the system could become unstable and require manual intervention to restore normal operation.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers "Uncontrolled Resource Consumption" and specifically addresses issues where systems can be made unavailable through resource exhaustion or process manipulation. The attack pattern follows elements of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where an attacker with sufficient privileges can manipulate system processes to cause availability degradation. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of their overall security posture, particularly in environments where MySQL replication is actively used and where the attack surface includes network-accessible database servers. The combination of high privilege requirements with network accessibility suggests that this vulnerability might be exploited by insider threats or attackers who have already compromised other system components.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to 8.0.34 or later, which would address the replication-related flaw. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to MySQL servers, ensuring that only authorized systems can reach the database ports. Additional monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual replication behavior or process instability that might indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of database configurations and access controls should be conducted to identify potential privilege escalation paths that could lead to exploitation of this vulnerability. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patches in non-production environments before deployment to ensure that the update does not introduce compatibility issues with existing database applications or replication configurations.