Appsecure logo

CVE-2025-21490: Medium Vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server

CVE-2025-21490 is a medium severity vulnerability affecting Oracle MySQL Server versions 8.0.40 and prior. This vulnerability allows attackers with network access to cause a denial-of-service condition. Immediate action is recommended.

MEDIUMCVSS 4.9 · Published January 21, 2025

Not a customer? See how AppSecure simulates real world attacks to protect your infrastructure.

Speak to Experts

CVE-2025-21490 is a vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically in the InnoDB component. The affected versions include 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. This vulnerability allows high privileged attackers with network access via multiple protocols to compromise the MySQL Server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized actions, including the ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash, resulting in a complete denial-of-service (DOS) condition for the MySQL Server.

The CVSS 3.1 base score for this vulnerability is 4.9, indicating a medium severity level. The specific vector string is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H, highlighting the impacts on availability. Organizations utilizing affected versions should be aware of the potential risk to their services.

Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability. The successful attacks could lead to significant downtime and loss of service availability, impacting overall business operations.

Currently, there are no known public exploits or proofs of concept available for CVE-2025-21490, reducing the urgency of immediate remediation. However, organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any developments regarding this vulnerability.

Understanding the implications of CVE-2025-21490 is crucial for organizations leveraging Oracle MySQL Server. By addressing this vulnerability, organizations can safeguard their database environments and ensure continued service availability.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server allows high privileged attackers to exploit the InnoDB component, affecting versions 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. The CVSS score of 4.9 indicates a medium severity level, primarily impacting availability. The official description states that the vulnerability allows attackers with network access to compromise the MySQL Server, which can result in a denial-of-service condition.

CWE-770, representing the weakness classification, is associated with this vulnerability. The potential for denial-of-service attacks emphasizes the need for organizations to be proactive in applying security measures.

Technical Analysis

The root cause of CVE-2025-21490 lies in the InnoDB component of MySQL Server, where the vulnerability can be exploited by high privileged users. The attack vector is network-based, requiring low complexity to execute. Attackers need high privileges to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is not required.

The impacts are significant; availability is rated as high due to the potential for denial-of-service conditions. Given that there are no confidentiality or integrity impacts, the focus remains on the operational availability of the MySQL Server.

Risk & Impact Analysis

The real-world risk associated with CVE-2025-21490 is substantial, particularly for organizations using affected versions of MySQL Server. The ability for an attacker to cause a denial-of-service attack could lead to significant downtime, affecting business operations and service availability.

As the CVSS score indicates a medium severity, organizations should address this vulnerability within their priority patch cycle. The potential blast radius, including all systems utilizing the affected versions, makes it critical for organizations to implement security patches promptly.

Signal

Status

Known Exploit

No

Public PoC

No

Actively Exploited

No

Ransomware Use

No

Affected Versions

The affected versions for CVE-2025-21490 include all MySQL Server versions up to and including 8.0.40, 8.4.3, and 9.1.0. Organizations should ensure that they are running patched versions to mitigate the risks effectively.

Mitigation & Remediation

To mitigate CVE-2025-21490, organizations should immediately apply the latest patches provided by Oracle for MySQL Server. If a patch is unavailable, consider implementing configuration hardening techniques to limit network access to the MySQL server and monitor for unusual activity.

Organizations should also enhance their security posture through continuous penetration testing. This approach can help identify potential vulnerabilities and ensure that any security measures implemented are effective. Additional resources can be found at penetration testing services that assess the complete security landscape.

Detection Guidance

To effectively monitor for signs of exploitation of CVE-2025-21490, organizations should focus on the following areas:

Log indicators for MySQL Server should be reviewed for unusual patterns or frequent crashes. Additionally, behavioral anomalies such as unexpected service restarts or unplanned downtime should be scrutinized. Network signatures indicating abnormal traffic to and from the MySQL Server can also serve as a critical alert mechanism.

AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight

The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21490 lies in its illustration of the ongoing vulnerabilities present in widely used database management systems. This case highlights the necessity for organizations to adopt a proactive stance in their security measures, particularly for database services that are fundamental to business operations.

Security teams should recognize that even medium severity vulnerabilities can have a high impact if left unaddressed. The lessons learned from CVE-2025-21490 emphasize the importance of regular patch management and vulnerability assessments. For further information on security best practices, consider reviewing our insights on penetration testing methodology and how organizations can build a robust security framework.

In conclusion, CVE-2025-21490 serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities that exist in everyday technologies. Organizations must remain diligent in their security practices to defend against potential threats that could exploit these vulnerabilities.

Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.

Latest CVEs. Recently published vulnerabilities from the NVD database.

View all vulnerabilities
CVE IDSeverity
CVE-2025-65418HIGH
CVE-2025-65417MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65416MEDIUM
CVE-2025-65415MEDIUM
CVE-2025-61314HIGH

Protect Your Business with Hacker-Focused Approach.