CVE-2024-21171 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 low 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 6.5 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/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 • 10/24/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-21171 resides within the MySQL Server optimizer component of Oracle MySQL database systems, affecting versions 8.0.37 and earlier, as well as 8.4.0 and prior releases. This flaw represents a significant security concern as it operates within the core database engine's query optimization logic, which processes and executes database operations. The vulnerability's classification as easily exploitable indicates that attackers with minimal privileges and network access can leverage this weakness to compromise database server availability. The affected component specifically handles query optimization processes that are fundamental to database operation, making this a critical point of failure that could severely impact database service availability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a condition that allows low-privileged attackers to induce a denial of service scenario through network-based attacks. The flaw operates across multiple protocols, increasing its attack surface and making it particularly dangerous for database environments that support various connection methods. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the MySQL Server to either hang indefinitely or experience frequent crashes that can be repeatedly triggered, effectively rendering the database service unavailable to legitimate users. This behavior directly aligns with the CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, which emphasizes the availability impact component, and the vector notation indicating network accessibility with low attack complexity and limited privileges required.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially cause complete database unavailability, which can have cascading effects throughout enterprise applications that depend on MySQL database services. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face the risk of extended downtime, data access interruptions, and potential business continuity issues. The vulnerability's ability to cause repeated crashes means that even if initial exploitation is detected and mitigated, attackers can continue to maintain service disruption through repeated attacks. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for mission-critical applications where database availability is paramount. The low privilege requirement and network accessibility make this attack vector particularly attractive to threat actors who may not have extensive access privileges but can still cause significant operational damage.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-21171 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL versions to the latest available releases that contain fixes for this optimizer-related vulnerability. Organizations should also implement network-level controls such as firewalls and access control lists to restrict unnecessary network access to MySQL database ports, particularly when the database is not required to be accessible from external networks. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of database connection attempts or service disruptions that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can identify anomalous query execution patterns that might indicate exploitation of this vulnerability. The vulnerability's classification under CWE categories related to resource management and input validation further emphasizes the need for comprehensive security controls that address both network-level protections and application-level monitoring. Organizations should also review their database access controls and privilege management policies to ensure that only necessary network access is granted to database systems, reducing the attack surface available to potential exploiters.