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CVE Record

CVE-2020-14785: Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer).

Vulnerability in the MySQL Server product of Oracle MySQL (component: Server: Optimizer). Supported versions that are affected are 8.0.21 and prior. Easily exploitable vulnerability allows high privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to compromise MySQL Server. Successful attacks of this vulnerability can result in unauthorized ability to cause a hang or frequently repeatable crash (complete DOS) of MySQL Server. CVSS 3.1 Base Score 4.9 (Availability impacts). CVSS Vector: (CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H).

MediumCVSS 4.9Not KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2020-14785 can let a highly privileged network user crash or hang MySQL Server. It affects Oracle MySQL Server 8.0.21 and prior. The business impact is database downtime, not data theft or tampering, based on the provided CVSS and description.

Executive priority

Treat as a moderate availability risk. Prioritize production databases, internet-reachable administration paths, and systems with broad privileged access. This should be scheduled promptly in normal patch cycles unless business-critical databases remain unpatched.

Technical view

The flaw is in MySQL Server's Optimizer component. Oracle rates it CVSS 4.9 with network attack vector, low complexity, high privileges required, no user interaction, unchanged scope, and high availability impact only. Successful exploitation can cause a complete denial of service through a hang or frequently repeatable crash.

Likely exposure

Exposure is mainly MySQL Server deployments on version 8.0.21 or earlier where highly privileged database users can connect over network protocols. Internet exposure raises operational risk, but the privilege requirement limits likely attackers to administrators, compromised privileged accounts, or trusted internal users.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or other evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability is described as easily exploitable after the attacker already has high privileges and network access. No exploit mechanics are provided or needed for defensive prioritization.

Researcher notes

Evidence supports denial of service only: no confidentiality or integrity impact is cited. High privileges are required, so validation should focus on version exposure, privilege boundaries, and whether downstream vendor packages include Oracle's October 2020 fixes. Fix version details beyond affected 8.0.21 and prior are not specified in the bundle.

Mitigation direction

  • Apply Oracle October 2020 CPU guidance or later MySQL vendor security updates.
  • Upgrade MySQL Server versions affected at 8.0.21 and prior.
  • Apply relevant distribution updates from Fedora or Gentoo where applicable.
  • Review NetApp advisory if MySQL is embedded in managed NetApp environments.
  • Restrict network access to MySQL administration paths and privileged accounts.

Validation and detection

  • Inventory MySQL Server instances and record exact versions.
  • Flag any MySQL Server 8.0.21 or earlier as potentially affected.
  • Confirm Oracle CPU or downstream vendor package updates are installed.
  • Review privileged MySQL accounts with network access.
  • Check monitoring for repeated MySQL crashes or hangs.
Prepared
Confidence
high
Sources
8

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

These mappings and lookup hints may be relevant to the vulnerability behavior, CWE, affected product, or exposure path. Glexia-inferred context is not an official MITRE, ATT&CK, CWE, or CVE Program mapping.

ATT&CK lookup starting points

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CVE-2020-14785 mapping review

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Medium
CVSS
4.9 (3.1)
Known Exploited
No
Published

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

1CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
7Source links

CVSS vector scores

1 official score

We collect every scored CVSS vector available in the official CNA and ADP containers. When more than one version is present, the table keeps the source vectors side by side instead of collapsing them into the highest score.

ScoreVersionSeverityVectorExploitImpactSource
4.9CVSS 3.1MediumCVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H1.23.6Primary CVE score

Vulnerability scoring details

Base CVSS 3.1 score

4.9Medium
CVSS 3.1 vector shape for CVE-2020-14785Attack VectorAttack ComplexityPrivileges RequiredUser InteractionScopeConfidentiality ImpactIntegrity ImpactAvailability Impact

Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H

Attack Vector
NetworkAdjacentLocalPhysical
Attack Complexity
LowHigh
Privileges Required
NoneLowHigh
User Interaction
NoneRequired
Scope
ChangedUnchanged
Confidentiality Impact
HighLowNone
Integrity Impact
HighLowNone
Availability Impact
HighLowNone

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
Oracle CorporationMySQL Server8.0.21 and priorListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.