Security readout for executives and security teams
Plain-English summary
CVE-2021-2385 affects MySQL Server replication in 5.7.34 and earlier and 8.0.25 and earlier. It requires a highly privileged attacker with network access and is difficult to exploit, but successful abuse can repeatedly crash MySQL Server and permit limited unauthorized data changes.
Executive priority
Treat this as a medium-priority remediation item unless affected databases support critical services or are reachable by many privileged users. Prioritize patching exposed or production MySQL servers because the impact includes complete denial of service and limited data modification.
Technical view
Oracle describes a Server: Replication vulnerability with CVSS 3.1 score 5.0. The vector is AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H, meaning network reachability and high privileges are required, with integrity and availability impact but no stated confidentiality impact.
Likely exposure
Exposure is most relevant where affected MySQL Server versions remain deployed and highly privileged accounts can connect over the network. Systems using vendor-packaged MySQL or appliances should also check Fedora and NetApp advisories for applicability.
Exploitation context
The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or cited evidence of active exploitation. The vulnerability is described as difficult to exploit and requiring high privileges, which lowers broad internet-scale risk but does not remove insider or compromised-admin risk.
Researcher notes
Evidence is limited to advisory-level detail. The affected component is Server: Replication, but the bundle does not provide root cause, fixed build numbers, exploit proof, or detection signatures. Avoid assuming exploitation without additional vendor or telemetry evidence.
Mitigation direction
- Upgrade MySQL Server beyond the affected 5.7.34 and 8.0.25 releases per Oracle guidance.
- Apply relevant Fedora package updates where MySQL is installed from Fedora repositories.
- Review NetApp guidance if MySQL is embedded in affected NetApp products.
- Restrict network access to MySQL administrative and replication interfaces.
- Audit highly privileged MySQL accounts and remove unnecessary remote access.
Validation and detection
- Inventory MySQL Server versions and flag 5.7.34 and earlier or 8.0.25 and earlier.
- Identify hosts using MySQL replication features or replication-related privileged accounts.
- Confirm vendor security updates from Oracle, Fedora, or NetApp are applied.
- Review firewall rules and access controls for network-reachable MySQL services.
- Check operational logs for unexplained MySQL hangs, crashes, or unauthorized data changes.
Public sources used
Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.
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
Use these exact CWE pages and searches to review the Glexia ATT&CK library from this CVE's weakness and description context.
CVE-2021-2385 mapping review
Open the CVE-to-ATT&CK bridge for reviewed, inferred, or future official mappings tied to this CVE.
Open ATT&CK lookup- Severity
- Medium
- CVSS
- 5 (3.1)
- Known Exploited
- No
- Published
Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
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.
CVSS vector scores
1 official scoreWe 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.
CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H0.74.2Primary CVE scoreVulnerability scoring details
Base CVSS 3.1 score
5MediumVector: CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:H/PR:H/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:L/A:H
Source materials
- CVE List V5 sourceCVE List V5
- https://www.oracle.com/security-alerts/cpujul2021.htmlCVE reference · x_refsource_MISC
- https://security.netapp.com/advisory/ntap-20210723-0001/CVE reference · x_refsource_CONFIRM
- FEDORA-2021-dc4299a8d0CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_FEDORA
- FEDORA-2021-df40c41094CVE reference · vendor-advisory, x_refsource_FEDORA
Products and packages named in the record
CWE details
CWE links open Glexia weakness intelligence pages with official CWE context, developer remediation guidance, and related CVE mappings.