CVE-2023-21913 : Security Advisory and Response

This CVE-2023-21913 involves a vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically in the Server Optimizer component. The affected versions are 8.0.31 and prior. This vulnerability can be easily exploited by a high-privileged attacker with network access through multiple protocols, allowing them to compromise the MySQL Server. Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to unauthorized abilities to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of the MySQL Server.

Understanding CVE-2023-21913

This section delves deeper into the specifics of CVE-2023-21913, including its impact and technical details.

What is CVE-2023-21913?

CVE-2023-21913 is a vulnerability within the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, affecting versions 8.0.31 and prior. It allows a high-privileged attacker with network access via various protocols to compromise the MySQL Server, potentially leading to a denial of service (DOS) attack.

The Impact of CVE-2023-21913

The impact of CVE-2023-21913 is significant as it allows attackers to exploit the vulnerability to disrupt the normal functioning of the MySQL Server, potentially causing service outages and unauthorized access.

Technical Details of CVE-2023-21913

Here, we explore the technical aspects of CVE-2023-21913, including the vulnerability description, affected systems and versions, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (Server Optimizer component) allows high-privileged attackers with network access to compromise the server, leading to a DOS attack. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score for this vulnerability is 4.9 with availability impacts.

Affected Systems and Versions

The affected vendor is Oracle Corporation, and the impacted product is MySQL Server. Versions 8.0.31 and prior are vulnerable to this exploit, requiring immediate attention to mitigate the risk.

Exploitation Mechanism

To exploit CVE-2023-21913, attackers need high privileges and network access via multiple protocols. By leveraging this vulnerability, attackers can disrupt the MySQL Server's operations, resulting in potential service interruptions and unauthorized actions.

Mitigation and Prevention

To protect systems from CVE-2023-21913, immediate steps must be taken to address the vulnerability and prevent exploitation. Implementing long-term security practices and applying patches and updates are crucial.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by Oracle to address the vulnerability in MySQL Server versions 8.0.31 and prior.
Restrict network access to sensitive systems and services to minimize the attack surface for potential exploitation.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly monitor for security advisories and updates from Oracle and other relevant sources to stay informed about potential vulnerabilities.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and remediate weaknesses in system configurations and access controls.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security patches and updates released by Oracle for MySQL Server to address known vulnerabilities.
Develop a comprehensive patch management strategy to ensure timely deployment of updates to mitigate security risks effectively.