CVE-2023-22068 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).
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-22068 resides within the InnoDB storage engine component of Oracle MySQL servers, representing a significant availability risk that affects multiple version lines including 8.0.34 and earlier releases, as well as version 8.1.0. This flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered by high-privileged attackers who possess network access to the target system. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with elevated privileges and network connectivity can readily leverage this weakness to disrupt MySQL server operations. The CVSS 3.1 scoring system assigns this vulnerability a base score of 4.9, with the availability impact component rated at high severity, reflecting the potential for complete system disruption through repeated crashes or hangs.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling within the InnoDB storage engine's internal processing mechanisms, where specific sequences of operations can cause the database server to enter an unstable state. This typically occurs when the attacker can manipulate data or execution paths that lead to memory corruption or resource exhaustion within the InnoDB transaction processing subsystem. The attack vector requires network access and high privileges, suggesting that the exploitation would likely occur through legitimate administrative interfaces or connections that maintain elevated access levels. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning because it affects the core database functionality, potentially causing complete service disruption that requires manual intervention to restore normal operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to database availability and business continuity, especially in environments where MySQL serves as a critical data backend for applications and services. The potential for repeated crashes means that even a single successful exploitation attempt could result in extended downtime, data access interruptions, and service degradation that impacts downstream applications. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face immediate operational risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited by malicious insiders or compromised administrative accounts. The availability impact rating of high indicates that the system could be rendered completely unusable, requiring restart procedures and potentially data recovery operations that could result in extended service interruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-22068 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest available versions that contain the necessary fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit administrative access points and reduce the attack surface for potential exploitation. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database server instability or repeated connection failures that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also review and strengthen privileged account management procedures, ensuring that administrative access is properly audited and restricted to essential personnel only. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1078 for valid accounts and T1499 for network denial of service, while CWE classification indicates a weakness in resource management or memory handling within database engine components. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions to detect anomalous behavior patterns that could precede or accompany exploitation attempts.