CVE-2024-20973: 
MySQL vulnerability analysis and mitigation

A vulnerability (CVE-2024-20973) has been identified in MySQL Server's Optimizer component. The vulnerability affects MySQL Server versions 8.0.35 and prior, and 8.2.0 and prior. This is an easily exploitable vulnerability that allows low-privileged attackers with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server (Oracle Advisory, NVD).

The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS v3.1 Base Score of 6.5 (Medium severity) with the following vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H. The vulnerability exists in the Server Optimizer component of MySQL and requires network access for exploitation (Oracle Advisory, NetApp Advisory).

Successful exploitation of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. The vulnerability impacts only the availability of the system, with no direct impact on confidentiality or integrity (NVD).

The vulnerability is considered easily exploitable and requires only low privileges and network access via multiple protocols. An attacker needs to have valid credentials with low-privilege access to exploit this vulnerability (Oracle Advisory).

Oracle has released security patches to address this vulnerability as part of its January 2024 Critical Patch Update. Users are strongly advised to update to the latest version of MySQL Server. The fix is available in MySQL version 8.0.36 (Oracle Advisory).