CVE-2021-2146 is a medium-severity vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically within the Server: Options component. Supported versions that are affected include 5.7.33 and prior, as well as 8.0.23 and prior. This vulnerability allows a high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or a frequently repeatable crash, leading to a complete denial of service (DoS) of MySQL Server.
The CVSS 3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 4.9, indicating a medium severity level with significant availability impacts. This vulnerability's exploitability is relatively easy, requiring low attack complexity and high privileges, meaning that only users with advanced access rights can exploit it. Organizations using affected versions should prioritize patching to mitigate risks.
Given the potential for a denial of service attack, organizations should address this issue immediately. The risk to organizations includes operational disruptions that could impact service availability and user access.
As of now, there is no known public exploit for this vulnerability, and it has not been included in the Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEV) catalog. However, the low complexity of exploitation means that awareness and prompt action are essential.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to prevent potential disruptions.
Vulnerability Details
The vulnerability in question is detailed in the official CVE description, which states: 'Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Options). Supported versions that are affected are 5.7.33 and prior and 8.0.23 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.'
The CVSS score of 4.9 indicates a medium severity level, specifically an availability impact. The vulnerability is classified under the CVSS 3.1 vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H). This classification signifies that the attack vector is network-based, the attack complexity is low, and high privileges are required for exploitation.
Affected products include MySQL versions 5.7.33 and prior, and 8.0.23 and prior, along with systems utilizing components from Fedora and NetApp such as active_iq_unified_manager and oncommand_insight.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the MySQL Server's handling of certain options that can be exploited by an attacker with high privileges. The attack vector is classified as network-based, meaning that an attacker could exploit this vulnerability remotely without physical access to the server.
The attack complexity is low, as it does not require significant effort or advanced skills to exploit. High privileges are necessary, which means that the attacker must have access rights that are typically restricted to administrators. User interaction is not required, allowing for automated exploitation.
In terms of impacts, the confidentiality and integrity of the system are not affected, but the availability impact is high. Successful exploitation could lead to a complete denial of service, causing significant disruptions to any applications dependent on the MySQL Server.
Risk & Impact Analysis
The real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is substantial, especially for organizations that rely heavily on MySQL for business operations. A successful attack could lead to prolonged downtime and loss of service, which directly impacts productivity and revenue.
The potential blast radius is significant, as many applications and services may depend on MySQL Server. Therefore, the urgency for remediation is high, given that the CVSS score indicates a medium severity vulnerability, and organizations should evaluate their exposure and risk posture accordingly.
Based on the CVSS score, organizations should address this vulnerability promptly within their patch management cycle to mitigate risks and prevent potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions include MySQL 5.7.33 and earlier, as well as 8.0.23 and earlier. Organizations should assume all versions prior to vendor patch are vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching by upgrading to the latest versions of MySQL, specifically versions beyond 5.7.33 and 8.0.23. If an immediate patch cannot be applied, organizations should implement network controls to restrict access to the MySQL Server and consider configuration hardening practices to mitigate risks.
For detailed guidance, organizations can refer to the application security assessment services to ensure robust security posture.
Detection Guidance
Security teams should monitor for unusual log indicators and behavior anomalies associated with MySQL Server operations. Network signatures indicating unauthorized access attempts should also be scrutinized. Additionally, monitoring system changes can help detect potential exploitation attempts.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-2146 highlights the importance of maintaining current software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. Patterns in vulnerability disclosures suggest a trend toward high privilege vulnerabilities in widely-used databases like MySQL, emphasizing the need for effective privilege management.
Security teams should conduct regular reviews of their security postures and consider implementing continuous security testing, such as continuous penetration testing, to proactively identify vulnerabilities.
Another crucial takeaway is the necessity for organizations to establish a robust vulnerability management program, ensuring that vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-2146 are promptly addressed and remediated.
For additional insights and strategies on managing vulnerabilities, organizations can refer to our vulnerability management program resource.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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