A newly discovered vulnerability in MySQL Server, designated as CVE-2024-21218, affects the InnoDB component in the popular database server software. This vulnerability, present in several supported versions of Oracle MySQL, enables high privileged attackers to compromise the MySQL Server by exploiting it through network access via various protocols.

This post aims to provide an in-depth look at the vulnerability, its potential impact, code snippets demonstrating the vulnerability, and relevant references to gain further understanding of this threat.

Exploit Details

A successful attack exploiting this vulnerability can result in the unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash of the MySQL Server, leading to a complete Denial of Service (DOS) scenario. The Common Vulnerability Scoring System (CVSS) has assigned this vulnerability a Base Score of 4.9, indicating the potential impact of this exploit on the MySQL Server's availability:

- CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H)

Code Snippet

While specific exploit code is not provided in this post, the general idea of how an attacker may exploit this vulnerability is showcased in the below pseudocode:

//connect to the MySQL server with high privileged access
mysql_connect("server_IP", "high_privilege_username", "high_privilege_password");

//craft a malicious SQL query exploiting the InnoDB vulnerability
malicious_query = "EXPLOIT INNODB VULNERABILITY";

//execute the malicious SQL query
mysql_query(malicious_query);

//observe the hang or crash of the MySQL Server, resulting in DOS

1. Oracle Critical Patch Update Advisory - Link
2. CVE Details - CVE-2024-21218 - Link
3. National Vulnerability Database (NVD) Entry - Link

Conclusion

If your organization is currently utilizing one of the affected MySQL Server versions, it is essential to address this vulnerability as soon as possible. Ensure that you regularly review and apply the latest patches provided by Oracle MySQL to prevent potential exploitation by malicious actors.

While this vulnerability's impact is specific to availability (Denial of Service), it is crucial to maintain a proactive approach to security by keeping all software and hardware up to date, implementing robust security policies, and educating users on best practices. In doing so, you can help protect against future threats to your infrastructure.

Timeline

Published on: 10/15/2024 20:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 10/16/2024 20:43:35 UTC