CVE-2025-21500 is a medium-severity vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically affecting versions 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. This vulnerability allows low-privileged attackers with network access to exploit the MySQL Server through multiple protocols. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized denial of service (DoS), resulting in a complete crash or hang of the MySQL Server.
The CVSS score for this vulnerability is 6.5, indicating that while the potential impact on availability is high, measures can be taken to mitigate risks. Organizations running affected versions are urged to address this vulnerability promptly to avoid potential service disruptions.
Given the nature of the vulnerability, it is categorized under CWE-770, which pertains to vulnerabilities that allow unauthorized access to systems. Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to ensure the integrity and availability of their MySQL database systems.
The vulnerability was published on January 21, 2025, and is marked as modified, indicating that further updates or changes may have been made since its initial disclosure. Organizations should remain vigilant and monitor for any additional advisories from Oracle.
With the growing reliance on database systems in business operations, the implications of this vulnerability could be significant. The risk to organizations includes potential loss of service and disruptions to business continuity.
Vulnerability Details
This vulnerability allows low privileged attackers with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score is 6.5, reflecting the potential high impact on availability. The vulnerability is part of the optimizer component of MySQL Server.
The affected versions are 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. The CVSS vector is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H), indicating that the attack vector is network-based and requires low privileges with no user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of CVE-2025-21500 arises from insufficient validation of certain inputs within the MySQL Server's optimizer component. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability through network access, which poses a risk as it requires only low privileges to exploit.
The attack complexity is classified as low, meaning it does not require specialized knowledge or resources to execute. No user interaction is necessary for an attacker to exploit this vulnerability, which increases the likelihood of successful attacks.
The vulnerability primarily impacts the availability of the MySQL Server, resulting in potential service outages. This forms a critical risk for organizations relying on MySQL databases for their operations.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes significant downtime of MySQL services, which can lead to loss of revenue, damaged reputations, and disruption of critical operations. Given that this vulnerability affects widely used versions of MySQL Server, a substantial number of organizations could be impacted.
Organizations should address this vulnerability in priority patch cycles due to its potential blast radius. The availability impacts are high, suggesting that immediate remediation is critical. Given that the vulnerability is not actively exploited according to KEV data, organizations should still prioritize remediation to prevent future risk.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of Oracle MySQL Server are 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. Organizations should ensure that they are running patched versions to mitigate this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize updating their Oracle MySQL Server to the latest versions to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. For those unable to apply immediate patches, it is recommended to implement network segmentation to limit exposure and minimize the impact of potential exploitation. Continuous monitoring and auditing of access logs may provide additional insights into any anomalies.
For thorough validation of security measures, organizations may consider engaging in penetration testing to identify any remaining vulnerabilities.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor for unusual spikes in resource usage or sudden crashes of the MySQL Server. Log files should be reviewed for any unauthorized access attempts or anomalies in database behavior. Implementing alerts for these conditions can help in early detection of potential exploitation.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21500 lies in the increasing trend of database-related vulnerabilities, highlighting the necessity for organizations to maintain rigorous security practices around their database systems.
Organizations are encouraged to reassess their vulnerability management strategies, emphasizing regular updates and audits. The threat landscape continues to evolve, and proactive measures are essential to safeguard sensitive data.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, engaging in application security assessments can provide critical insights into existing vulnerabilities.
Additionally, organizations may benefit from adopting a continuous penetration testing approach to regularly evaluate their security measures against emerging threats.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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