CVE-2025-21555 - High Privileged Attacker Exploiting Vulnerability in MySQL Server's InnoDB Component to Cause Complete DOS and Unauthorized Data Manipulation

Introduction: The CVE-2025-21555 (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) identifies a vulnerability that affects Oracle MySQL's InnoDB component, posing a severe risk to users of version 8..40 and prior, 8.4.3 and prior, and 9.1. and prior. High privileged attackers can exploit the vulnerability to create a complete denial of service (DOS) or unauthorized manipulation of MySQL Server data.

Exploit Details

The identified vulnerability in MySQL Server revolves around the InnoDB component of the supported Oracle MySQL versions. Attackers with high privileges and network access via multiple protocols can exploit this vulnerability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. Additionally, attackers can gain unauthorized access to modify (update, insert, or delete) some of the data available on the MySQL Server.

The base score of this exploit, according to the CVSS 3.1 system, is 5.5, with the specific vector defined as (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H). This scoring indicates that the vulnerability has significant impacts on both the integrity and the availability of the affected systems.

Reference

1. Original CVE Reference

Code Snippet Sample

#include <iostream>
#include <mysql/mysql.h>
using namespace std;

int main() {
   MYSQL *mysql = mysql_init(NULL);

   if (mysql == NULL)
   {
      cout << "Initialization error: " << mysql_error(mysql) << endl;
      return 1;
   }

   if (mysql_real_connect(mysql, "localhost", "username", "password", "database", , NULL, ) == NULL)
   {
      cout << "Connection error: " << mysql_error(mysql) << endl;
      return 1;
   }

   // Craft your malicious payload here, targeting the InnoDB component

   if (mysql_query(mysql, "MALICIOUS_SQL_PAYLOAD"))
   {
      cout << "Query error: " << mysql_error(mysql) << endl;
      return 1;
   }

   mysql_close(mysql);
   return ;
}

(Note: This code snippet is only a sample of how an attacker might exploit the vulnerability using a crafted SQL payload targeting the InnoDB component. Actual exploitation would involve a more specific and elaborate malicious payload.)

Mitigation Measures

In managing this vulnerability, users of affected versions are advised to undertake the following courses of action:

1. Update to a patched version that has the vulnerability corrected. Contact the Oracle MySQL team for more information regarding patches.

Conclusion

The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-21555 carries considerable risks for users of the affected versions of Oracle MySQL. The exploit can result in unauthorized data manipulation and complete DOS, affecting the availability and integrity of the system. Users are urged to take prompt action to install patches and implement the recommended mitigation measures to protect their data and systems.

Timeline

Published on: 01/21/2025 21:15:22 UTC