CVE-2023-22103 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 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-2023-22103 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL database systems, representing a significant availability risk that affects multiple version ranges including 8.0.34 and earlier releases as well as version 8.1.0. This flaw operates at the core optimization layer of the database engine, where query processing and execution plan generation occur, making it particularly dangerous as it directly impacts the fundamental operations of the database server. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileged access and network connectivity can leverage this weakness to compromise system availability. The CVSS 3.1 score of 4.9 reflects the moderate severity of the impact, with the primary concern being complete denial of service conditions that can cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users and applications.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling within the server optimizer module, where specific query processing scenarios can trigger memory management issues or execution path failures that lead to system instability. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to cause repeated crashes or system hangs that can be maintained over time, creating a persistent denial of service condition that can severely impact database availability and business operations. The attack vector requires network access and high privileged credentials, indicating that this vulnerability is not easily exploitable by casual attackers but poses a significant threat to organizations where privileged database access is compromised or where insider threats exist. The vulnerability's impact on availability is severe enough to warrant immediate attention from database administrators and security teams responsible for maintaining database infrastructure reliability.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses buffer overflow conditions in memory management, and represents a classic example of how optimization components in database systems can contain critical flaws that affect system stability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where attackers leverage system weaknesses to create availability disruptions. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader database security assessments, particularly when evaluating the robustness of query optimization engines and their potential for exploitation. The complete denial of service condition that can be achieved through this vulnerability makes it particularly concerning for mission-critical applications that depend on continuous database availability, as even brief outages can result in significant business disruption and data access issues.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-22103 extends beyond simple system crashes to include potential data integrity concerns and service level agreement violations that organizations must address. Database administrators should implement immediate monitoring for unusual crash patterns or performance degradation that could indicate exploitation attempts, while also preparing emergency response procedures to restore service quickly if the vulnerability is successfully targeted. Mitigation strategies should include applying the latest security patches from Oracle, implementing network segmentation to limit access to database servers, and establishing robust monitoring systems that can detect and alert on abnormal database behavior patterns. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing database access controls and privilege management to reduce the attack surface, as the vulnerability requires high privileged access to exploit effectively. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database configurations and to ensure that the security posture remains resilient against evolving threats targeting database infrastructure components.