CVE-2023-22015 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.42 and prior and 8.0.31 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 ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22015 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL database systems, representing a significant availability risk that affects multiple versions of both MySQL 5.7 and MySQL 8.0. This flaw manifests in the server's query optimization logic, where specific conditions can trigger abnormal behavior that leads to system instability. The vulnerability impacts database servers that are configured with the optimizer component, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where database availability is critical for business operations. Attackers exploiting this vulnerability require high privileged access and network connectivity through multiple protocols, indicating that the threat surface is limited to authenticated users with sufficient privileges within the network boundary. The CVSS score of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, with the potential for complete denial of service through system hangs or repeated crashes that can render the database server unusable for legitimate operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of specific optimization scenarios within the MySQL Server's query execution engine, where certain complex query patterns or data conditions can cause the optimizer to enter an unstable state. This flaw allows an attacker with elevated privileges to craft malicious queries that trigger memory management issues or resource exhaustion within the optimizer module, ultimately leading to system crashes or indefinite hangs that require manual intervention to restore service. The vulnerability's exploitability is considered easily achievable given the right conditions and attacker privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators maintain high-privilege accounts that are accessible over the network. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption, as database downtime can cascade into broader business operations, affecting applications that depend on database availability for their core functionality.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22015 poses substantial risk to organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical data operations, as the vulnerability can result in complete denial of service conditions that may require system restarts or extended recovery periods. Organizations with high availability requirements face particular challenges, as the vulnerability can be leveraged to create sustained disruption that affects database performance and application availability. The vulnerability's potential for causing frequently repeatable crashes means that even a single exploitation attempt can result in prolonged service interruption, making it a significant concern for mission-critical systems where database uptime is essential. The attack vector through multiple protocols indicates that the vulnerability can be exploited across different network interfaces and connection methods, increasing the overall attack surface and making detection and prevention more challenging for security teams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22015 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server versions, with administrators upgrading to patched versions of MySQL 5.7.43 or later and MySQL 8.0.32 or later to address the optimizer-related flaw. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit the attack surface by restricting network access to database servers and ensuring that only authorized personnel with legitimate business needs can access database systems with high privileges. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual query patterns or resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in database configurations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-472, which addresses external control of critical data structure, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, emphasizing the need for both preventive and detective security measures. Organizations should also implement robust backup and recovery procedures to minimize the impact of potential exploitation events, ensuring that database services can be restored quickly in case of successful attacks.