CVE-2025-21520 is a vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically in the Server: Options component. This vulnerability is classified as low severity with a CVSS score of 1.8, indicating potential confidentiality impacts. Supported versions affected include 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. Its difficulty in exploitation requires a high privileged attacker to log on to the infrastructure where MySQL Server executes.
Successful attacks on this vulnerability necessitate human interaction from an individual other than the attacker. The implications of successful exploitation could result in unauthorized read access to a subset of data accessible within MySQL Server. Given the nature of this vulnerability and its reliance on human interaction, organizations should remain vigilant.
Organizations should prioritize patching immediately to address this vulnerability as part of their security posture. The urgency level is considered low due to the specific conditions required for exploitation.
Patching is the primary method of remediation. Organizations need to ensure that their MySQL Server versions are updated beyond the affected versions to mitigate potential risks.
Vulnerability Details
The official description of this vulnerability states that it allows a high privileged attacker with logon access to the infrastructure where MySQL Server executes to compromise MySQL Server. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-732, indicating an issue with improper permission assignment. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score is 1.8, reflecting a low severity level.
This CVE was published on January 21, 2025, and is currently classified as modified. The attack vector is local, with high complexity due to the requirement for high privileges and user interaction.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability lies in the configuration and permission settings within MySQL Server. Attackers must have high privileges and be able to interact with the system, making exploitation challenging. The attack vector is local, meaning that the attacker must have physical or remote access to the machine where MySQL Server is running.
The attack complexity is classified as high due to the need for high privileges and user interaction. No specific privileges are required to access the data, but the attacker's high privilege level is crucial to successfully exploit the vulnerability. There is no requirement for user interaction once initial access is obtained.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Risk to organizations includes unauthorized read access to sensitive data within MySQL Server. The potential impact may be limited due to the need for an attacker to have high privileges and user interaction from another person. However, organizations must consider the confidentiality implications of this vulnerability, particularly if sensitive data is stored in MySQL.
Given the nature of the vulnerability and its low CVSS score, it is essential for organizations to assess their exposure and prioritize remediation efforts as necessary. The urgency for addressing this vulnerability is low, allowing organizations to schedule it within their routine maintenance processes.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
Affected versions of Oracle MySQL include 8.0.40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1.0 and prior. Organizations should ensure their MySQL installations are updated to versions beyond these to mitigate the risk associated with this vulnerability.
Mitigation & Remediation
Oracle has published patches to address this vulnerability. Organizations should refer to the latest security alerts and apply the necessary updates. In addition, organizations may consider implementing configuration hardening measures to limit access to the MySQL Server environment.
For further insights on security testing, organizations can explore penetration testing services to evaluate their security posture.
Detection Guidance
To monitor for potential exploitation, organizations should be aware of log indicators such as unusual access patterns to the MySQL Server, especially from privileged accounts. Behavioral anomalies in database access may also indicate attempts to leverage this vulnerability.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The low severity and exploit difficulty of CVE-2025-21520 highlight the importance of a robust security posture that includes regular updates and monitoring. While this particular vulnerability may not pose an immediate threat, its existence underscores the need for organizations to maintain awareness of potential security risks.
Organizations can benefit from developing a comprehensive vulnerability management program to address similar weaknesses in the future.
Additionally, security teams should engage in ongoing security assessments, such as penetration testing methodology, to proactively identify and remediate vulnerabilities.
Lastly, organizations should stay informed about security trends and best practices through resources like the security testing best practices guide, which can help enhance their overall security strategy.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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