CVE-2021-2011 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A vulnerability has been identified in the MySQL Server product of Oracle Corporation, specifically in the MySQL Client component. This vulnerability, assigned CVE-2021-2011, affects versions 5.7.32 and prior, as well as 8.0.22 and prior. An unauthenticated attacker with network access can exploit this vulnerability, potentially leading to a denial of service (DoS) attack.

Understanding CVE-2021-2011

This section delves into the details of the CVE-2021-2011 vulnerability, its impact, technical details, and mitigation strategies.

What is CVE-2021-2011?

The vulnerability in the MySQL Client component of Oracle MySQL allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to compromise MySQL Client. Successful exploitation can result in a denial of service by causing the MySQL Client to hang or crash.

The Impact of CVE-2021-2011

The impact of CVE-2021-2011 is rated with a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 5.9, classifying it as a medium severity issue with high availability impact. The vector string for this vulnerability is CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-2011

This section provides technical details including vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows an unauthenticated attacker with network access to compromise MySQL Client and cause a denial of service condition by crashing the client.

Affected Systems and Versions

Versions 5.7.32 and earlier, as well as versions 8.0.22 and earlier of MySQL Server are affected by this vulnerability.

Exploitation Mechanism

An unauthenticated attacker can exploit this vulnerability via multiple protocols to compromise the MySQL Client, resulting in a complete Denial of Service (DoS) attack.

Mitigation and Prevention

In this section, you will find guidance on immediate steps to take, long-term security practices, and the importance of patching and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

It is recommended to apply security patches provided by Oracle Corporation to address this vulnerability in MySQL Server immediately.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement proper network security measures, restrict network access to critical systems, and regularly update and monitor the MySQL Server for any security patches.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security advisories from Oracle Corporation and promptly apply patches and updates to ensure the protection of MySQL Server from known vulnerabilities.