CVE-2021-2213 : Security Advisory and Response

This article provides details about CVE-2021-2213, a vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server that can be exploited by a high-privileged attacker to compromise the server.

Understanding CVE-2021-2213

CVE-2021-2213 is a vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically in the Optimizer component. The affected versions are 8.0.22 and prior.

What is CVE-2021-2213?

The vulnerability allows a high-privileged attacker with network access to compromise MySQL Server. Successful exploitation can lead to unauthorized actions causing a hang or crash of the server resulting in a denial of service (DOS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2021-2213

The vulnerability has a CVSS 3.1 Base Score of 4.9, with a medium severity rating, primarily impacting availability. Attack complexity is low, with high privilege required, and the attack vector is through the network.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-2213

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL allows an attacker with network access to compromise the server, potentially leading to a denial of service by causing it to hang or crash.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected versions are MySQL Server 8.0.22 and prior.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker with high privileges over the network, making it relatively easy to compromise the MySQL Server.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2021-2213, consider the following steps:

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply relevant security patches provided by Oracle to mitigate the vulnerability.
Implement network security measures to restrict access to MySQL Server.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update MySQL Server to the latest version to ensure patches for known vulnerabilities.
Follow security best practices such as limiting user privileges and network restrictions.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates released by Oracle for MySQL Server and promptly apply them to ensure protection against known vulnerabilities.