CVE-2025-21501 is a medium-severity vulnerability affecting the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically within the Optimizer component. The vulnerability impacts supported 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 via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized access, causing frequent crashes or a complete denial of service (DoS) for the MySQL Server.
The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 base score of 6.5, indicating significant availability impacts. Organizations need to be aware of this risk as it could lead to critical downtime affecting business operations. Given the nature of the vulnerability, organizations should prioritize patching immediately.
While there is no known public exploit documented for this vulnerability, the potential for exploitation remains a concern. Continuous monitoring and timely patching are essential to safeguard against potential attacks.
Organizations using Oracle MySQL should assess their current versions and apply the necessary updates to mitigate this vulnerability effectively.
Vulnerability Details
CVE-2025-21501 is classified as a vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL. The affected versions include 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. The official CVE description indicates that it allows low privileged attackers with network access to potentially crash the MySQL Server, leading to a denial of service. The CVSS score reflects a medium severity, highlighting the importance of addressing this vulnerability.
The CVSS vector for this vulnerability is (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H), indicating a low attack complexity and the requirement for low privileges to exploit. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-770, which relates to the failure to limit the number of resources used by the application.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the MySQL Server's Optimizer component. It has been identified that low privileged attackers can exploit it remotely without requiring user interaction, making it an attractive target for malicious actors. The attack vector is classified as network-based, and the complexity is deemed low, meaning the barrier to exploit is minimal.
Availability is significantly impacted due to the nature of this vulnerability. Attackers may leverage this to cause repeated crashes, resulting in a complete Denial of Service (DoS) for the MySQL Server. The impacts on confidentiality and integrity are noted as none, which emphasizes the focus on availability issues.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes potential downtime and service disruptions, which can lead to significant operational impacts. The nature of the vulnerability allows low privileged attackers to exploit it easily, leading to a high blast radius in environments where MySQL Server is deployed. Given the CVSS score of 6.5, organizations should address this vulnerability in their priority patch cycle to ensure systems remain secure.
With the availability impact being high, it is critical for organizations to implement risk mitigation strategies, including timely patching and continuous monitoring of their MySQL Server instances. Engaging in security assessments can also help identify and remediate such vulnerabilities proactively.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected versions of MySQL Server include 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. Organizations should ensure they are running patched versions to prevent exploitation.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching to the latest version of MySQL Server to address this vulnerability. If an immediate patch is not available, consider implementing workarounds such as restricting network access to MySQL Server or applying firewall rules to minimize exposure. Continuous monitoring and security assessments are also recommended to ensure the environment remains secure.
For more detailed guidance on securing MySQL environments, organizations can refer to this comprehensive resource on application security assessments.
Detection Guidance
To detect potential exploitation of this vulnerability, organizations should monitor log indicators for unusual access patterns to MySQL Server. Behavioral anomalies, such as unexpected crashes or performance degradation, should also be investigated. Implementing network signatures that can identify abnormal traffic to the MySQL service can further aid in detection.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2025-21501 reflects the ongoing challenges organizations face in securing database systems against remote attacks. This vulnerability highlights the necessity for robust security practices and proactive measures to safeguard critical assets.
Security teams should learn from this vulnerability to strengthen their defenses against similar threats in the future. Implementing a comprehensive vulnerability management program can aid in identifying, assessing, and remediating vulnerabilities effectively.
For organizations looking to enhance their security posture, considering engaging in penetration testing can provide valuable insights into the security of their systems.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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