CVE-2023-22066 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: InnoDB). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.34 and prior and 8.1.0. 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 • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22066 represents a critical availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server's InnoDB storage engine component. This flaw affects specific version ranges including all 8.0.x releases up to and including 8.0.34, as well as the initial 8.1.0 release. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise the targeted database server. The attack vector requires network connectivity and can be executed through multiple protocols, making the threat surface broader than typical database vulnerabilities. Security researchers have categorized this issue as a significant concern due to its potential to cause complete denial of service conditions that can severely impact database operations and business continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of certain InnoDB operations that can trigger system instability leading to complete server crashes or persistent hangs. The flaw specifically impacts the InnoDB storage engine's internal processing mechanisms, where malicious input or specific operational sequences can cause the database server to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly. This type of vulnerability typically arises from insufficient input validation or memory management issues within the database engine's core components. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it can lead to complete system unavailability, forcing administrators to perform manual restarts and potentially causing data loss or transaction rollbacks. The CVSS score of 4.9 reflects the moderate to high severity of the availability impact, with the high privilege requirement suggesting that attackers must already have elevated access levels to exploit this weakness effectively.
The operational implications of CVE-2023-22066 present substantial risks for organizations relying on MySQL Server for critical business operations. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause complete denial of service conditions that may last for extended periods, potentially disrupting database-dependent applications and services across the enterprise. The vulnerability's ability to cause frequent repeatable crashes means that even brief exploitation attempts can lead to prolonged system downtime. Organizations utilizing MySQL Server in production environments face potential revenue loss, customer service degradation, and increased operational overhead due to the need for emergency response procedures and system recovery efforts. The high privilege requirement does not eliminate the threat as compromised accounts with elevated permissions can provide attackers with the necessary access levels to execute successful attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22066 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patch management procedures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MySQL Server versions that have addressed this vulnerability, specifically those beyond the affected release versions. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack vectors and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access to privileged database accounts. The implementation of intrusion detection systems and monitoring solutions can help identify suspicious network activity patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular database backups and disaster recovery procedures should be maintained to ensure rapid restoration capabilities in case of successful attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring tools that can detect anomalous behavior patterns associated with potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may relate to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Proper configuration management and regular security assessments should be implemented to prevent exploitation and maintain overall database security posture.