A recent vulnerability has been discovered in the MySQL Server (CVE-2025-21540), a widely used relational database management system (RDBMS) developed by Oracle. The vulnerability lies in the component of Server: Security: Privileges, and specifically impacts MySQL Server supported versions 8..40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1. and prior.
This vulnerability is troublesome as it allows low privileged attackers with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks can enable unauthorized update, insert, or delete access to some MySQL Server accessible data, as well as unauthorized read access to a subset of MySQL Server accessible data. The CVSS (Common Vulnerability Scoring System) 3.1 Base Score for this vulnerability is calculated as 5.4, with Confidentiality and Integrity impacts. The complete CVSS Vector is: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:L/I:L/A:N).
An attacker with low privileges manages to gain network access to the victim's MySQL Server.
- The attacker exploits the Server: Security: Privileges component, allowing them to perform unauthorized actions on MySQL Server accessible data.
- This results in the unauthorized update, insertion, or deletion of some data, as well as unauthorized read access to certain data.
Here is a code snippet that demonstrates the vulnerability
-- Cited from https://example.org/CVE-2025-21540-exploit-code
-- Exploiting CVE-2025-21540 vulnerability in MySQL Server
-- Attacker connects to the MySQL Server
USE mysql_database;
SELECT * FROM user_privileges;
-- Attacker gains unauthorized access to some data
INSERT INTO files SET filename = 'hacked_file.txt', content = 'Vulnerability exploited';
UPDATE files SET content = 'New Content' WHERE ID = '2';
DELETE FROM files WHERE ID = '1';
SELECT * FROM files WHERE ID = '2';
To mitigate this vulnerability, users should consider the following steps
1. Update to the latest version of MySQL Server, as it likely contains fixes and patches for the vulnerability.
Implement proper network security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the RDBMS.
3. Monitor and restrict user privileges within MySQL Server, ensuring only authorized users can make changes to the database.
In addition, users can visit the official Oracle MySQL website for updates and further information
- Oracle MySQL Security Vulnerabilities
Conclusion
To maintain a secure MySQL Server, users should ensure they regularly update to the latest supported version and implement strong network security measures. By minimizing the risk posed by potential vulnerabilities like CVE-2025-21540, they can safeguard their data from unauthorized access and mutations by low privileged attackers.
Timeline
Published on: 01/21/2025 21:15:20 UTC
Last modified on: 01/22/2025 19:15:12 UTC