CVE-2024-21013 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 04/17/2024
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.36 and prior and 8.3.0 and prior. Difficult to exploit 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 4.4 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21013 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL database systems, representing a significant availability risk that affects multiple version ranges including 8.0.36 and earlier releases, as well as 8.3.0 and prior versions. This weakness specifically targets the server's query optimization engine which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. The vulnerability's classification as difficult to exploit indicates that while it requires specific conditions to be leveraged successfully, the potential impact on system availability makes it a serious concern for database administrators and security professionals. The attack vector requires a high privileged attacker with network access through multiple protocols, suggesting that this vulnerability could be exploited by individuals who already have elevated access rights within the network environment, potentially through legitimate administrative accounts or compromised credentials.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling within the MySQL Server's optimizer module, where specific query patterns or conditions can trigger abnormal behavior that leads to system instability. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability enables attackers to cause either a complete denial of service through system hanging or frequent crashes that render the database server unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of improper handling of exceptional conditions, specifically relating to resource management and system stability within database query processing. The CVSS score of 4.4 reflects the moderate severity of the availability impact, with the vector AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H indicating that network-based attacks require high privileges but are not particularly complex to execute once the attacker has sufficient access rights.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as database servers form the backbone of numerous enterprise applications and critical business operations. When a MySQL server experiences frequent crashes or hangs due to this vulnerability, it can lead to cascading failures across dependent systems, potentially affecting multiple business processes that rely on database availability. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face the risk of extended downtime, data access interruptions, and potential loss of business continuity during attack scenarios. The vulnerability's potential to cause complete system hangs makes it particularly dangerous in production environments where database availability is critical for business operations, as it can effectively paralyze database-dependent applications and services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21013 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to the latest available versions that contain the relevant security fixes. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the attack surface and reduce the likelihood of high privileged accounts being compromised. The principle of least privilege should be enforced to minimize the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns of database server behavior or frequent connection drops that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring tools that can detect and alert on potentially malicious query patterns that could trigger the vulnerable optimizer code paths. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely map to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, making it important for organizations to maintain comprehensive security monitoring and incident response procedures. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify and remediate similar weaknesses in database infrastructure components.