CVE-2024-21162 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE • 07/17/2024
Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.37 and prior and 8.4.0 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 • 10/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21162 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL, affecting versions 8.0.37 and earlier, as well as 8.4.0 and prior releases. This represents a significant security flaw that operates at the core of database query processing, where the optimizer is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for SQL statements. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's ability to handle certain query structures, creating a condition where malicious input can trigger unexpected behavior in the database engine's execution path.
The technical nature of this flaw manifests as a denial of service condition that can be triggered by a high-privileged attacker who has network access to the MySQL server through multiple protocols. The vulnerability's exploitability is classified as easily accessible, meaning that an attacker with appropriate privileges and network connectivity can execute the attack without requiring complex exploitation techniques or specialized tools. The attack vector operates through network protocols, making it particularly concerning for database environments that are exposed to external networks or have multiple access points.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe, as successful exploitation results in complete denial of service conditions that can cause the MySQL server to hang or repeatedly crash. This type of vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the database system, potentially bringing critical business applications to a halt. The CVSS 3.1 base score of 4.9 reflects the moderate to high severity of the availability impact, with the attack requiring high privileges but offering relatively low complexity to execute. The vulnerability's potential for causing frequent crashes means that even a single successful attack could result in extended downtime for database services.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which addresses null pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system instability and denial of service. The attack pattern follows typical denial of service methodologies that target core system components rather than application-level vulnerabilities. The CVSS vector analysis indicates that the attack requires network access with high privileges and does not require user interaction, making it particularly dangerous in environments where database administrators maintain network-level access. The vulnerability's impact on availability creates cascading effects that can disrupt database-dependent applications and services.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including applying the latest security patches from Oracle, which typically address the specific optimizer logic that triggers this condition. Network segmentation and access controls should be enhanced to limit privileged network access to MySQL servers, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a server-side optimizer flaw suggests that defensive measures should focus on input validation and query monitoring rather than traditional application-level protections. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for this specific issue to ensure comprehensive protection of database environments.