CVE-2023-21866 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

This is an overview of CVE-2023-21866, a published vulnerability affecting Oracle's MySQL Server.

Understanding CVE-2023-21866

CVE-2023-21866 is a vulnerability found in Oracle's MySQL Server that allows a high privileged attacker with network access to compromise the server. It can lead to unauthorized actions resulting in a hang or crash of the MySQL Server.

What is CVE-2023-21866?

The vulnerability in Oracle's MySQL Server (component: Server: Optimizer) impacts versions 8.0.28 and prior. It can be exploited by an attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise the server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can cause a denial of service (DOS) by crashing the MySQL Server.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21866

The CVSS 3.1 Base Score for CVE-2023-21866 is 4.9 with a focus on availability impacts. This vulnerability has a medium severity level and can significantly impact the availability of the MySQL Server.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21866

This section delves deeper into the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21866, including its description, affected systems and versions, and exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability allows a high privileged attacker with network access to compromise Oracle's MySQL Server and cause a hang or crash, resulting in a denial of service situation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Oracle's MySQL Server versions 8.0.28 and prior are affected by this vulnerability, making them susceptible to exploitation by attackers with network access.

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker with high privileges can exploit this vulnerability via multiple protocols, compromising the MySQL Server and potentially causing a DOS by repeatedly crashing the server.

Mitigation and Prevention

To secure systems from CVE-2023-21866, certain steps need to be taken immediately while incorporating long-term security practices and applying necessary patches and updates.

Immediate Steps to Take

Immediately apply security patches and updates provided by Oracle to address the vulnerability in MySQL Server and prevent any unauthorized access or DOS attacks.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement strong network security measures, monitor network traffic for anomalies, restrict high privileges to only authorized personnel, and conduct regular security audits to prevent future vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Regularly check for updates and patches released by Oracle for MySQL Server, ensuring that the system is up-to-date with the latest security fixes to mitigate the risk of exploitation related to CVE-2023-21866.