CVE-2024-20982 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 02/17/2024
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.35 and prior and 8.2.0 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 • 05/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-20982 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL database systems, affecting versions 8.0.35 and earlier, as well as 8.2.0 and prior releases. This represents a significant security weakness that operates at the core of database query processing functionality, where the optimizer is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for SQL queries. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with high privileges and network access can leverage this flaw to compromise database server availability. The attack vector requires network connectivity and can be executed through multiple protocols, making it particularly concerning for database environments that are accessible over networks. The CVSS base score of 4.9 reflects the availability impact severity, with the attack requiring high privileges but offering minimal complexity for exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a flaw within the server's query optimization logic that can be triggered by specific query patterns or database states. When exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause either a complete system hang or frequent, repeatable crashes that result in denial of service conditions. This occurs because the optimizer component fails to properly handle certain edge cases or malformed inputs during query planning, leading to system instability. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple query failure, as it can cause the entire MySQL server process to become unresponsive or terminate unexpectedly, disrupting database services and potentially affecting applications that depend on database availability. The flaw likely involves improper memory management or control flow handling within the optimizer's execution path, though specific technical details of the code defect remain undisclosed in the public vulnerability description.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to database availability and system reliability, particularly in environments where MySQL servers are critical infrastructure components. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face potential service disruption that could impact business operations, especially in scenarios where database downtime correlates with application failures. The requirement for high-privilege access limits the immediate threat surface compared to vulnerabilities requiring no authentication, but it still represents a serious concern for privileged attackers who have already gained access to the system. The repeated crash capability means that even a single exploit attempt can cause sustained service interruption, making this vulnerability particularly damaging for systems where database availability is mission-critical. This type of vulnerability can be exploited in targeted attacks against database administrators or through compromised accounts with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-20982 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL installations to the latest available versions that contain the fix for this optimizer flaw. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface, ensuring that only authorized and trusted networks can access MySQL servers. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of database server restarts or hangs that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE 119 (Improper Access to Memory) and its potential mapping to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) highlights the need for comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures. Regular security assessments should include database server vulnerability scanning to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited. Network-level protections such as firewall rules and intrusion detection systems can help detect and prevent unauthorized access attempts to database services. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can track query execution patterns and flag potentially malicious or problematic query sequences that might trigger the optimizer vulnerability.