CVE-2024-20985: What You Need to Know

A vulnerability has been identified in Oracle MySQL Server, allowing a low-privileged attacker with network access to compromise the server. This vulnerability can lead to unauthorized actions resulting in a denial of service (DOS) by causing the server to hang or crash repeatedly.

Understanding CVE-2024-20985

This section delves into the details of CVE-2024-20985, including its nature and impact on systems.

What is CVE-2024-20985?

CVE-2024-20985 is a vulnerability found in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL, specifically in the Server: UDF component. The affected versions include 8.0.35 and earlier, as well as 8.2.0 and earlier. The vulnerability allows a low-privileged attacker to exploit it via multiple protocols with network access, potentially leading to a complete denial of service of MySQL Server.

The Impact of CVE-2024-20985

The successful exploitation of CVE-2024-20985 can grant an unauthorized individual the ability to cause the MySQL Server to hang or crash repeatedly, resulting in a complete denial of service. The CVSS 3.1 Base Score for this vulnerability is 6.5, with an availability impact rating of high.

Technical Details of CVE-2024-20985

This section provides a deeper look into the vulnerability, including its description, affected systems, and the exploitation mechanism.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in MySQL Server allows a low-privileged attacker with network access to compromise the server, potentially causing it to hang or crash, leading to a denial of service situation.

Affected Systems and Versions

Oracle Corporation's MySQL Server versions up to and including 8.0.35 and 8.2.0 are impacted by this vulnerability, making them susceptible to exploitation by attackers.

Exploitation Mechanism

By leveraging multiple protocols and network access, a low-privileged attacker can exploit this vulnerability in MySQL Server, potentially causing a complete denial of service by making the server hang or crash repeatedly.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2024-20985, prompt action is required to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability through immediate steps and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security patches and updates provided by Oracle to address the vulnerability in MySQL Server.
Monitor network activity for any suspicious behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch your software to stay protected against known vulnerabilities.
Implement network segmentation and access controls to limit the exposure of critical systems.
Conduct regular security audits and penetration testing to identify and address any potential weaknesses in your environment.

Patching and Updates

Oracle has released patches to address CVE-2024-20985. It is crucial to install these patches promptly to secure your MySQL Server against potential exploitation and mitigate the risk of a denial of service attack.