CVE-2026-60182: MySQL Server Clone Plugin DoS Vulnerability

CVE-2026-60182 Overview

CVE-2026-60182 is a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Oracle MySQL Server and MySQL Cluster products, specifically within the Server: Clone Plugin component. The flaw enables a high-privileged attacker with network access via multiple protocols to trigger a hang or repeatable crash of the affected database service. Exploitation results in a complete availability loss, though confidentiality and integrity are not impacted. Oracle addressed this issue in the July 2026 Critical Patch Update. The vulnerability is categorized under [CWE-400] Uncontrolled Resource Consumption.

Critical Impact
Successful exploitation causes a complete denial of service (hang or repeatable crash) of MySQL Server or MySQL Cluster instances.

Affected Products

MySQL Server versions 8.4.0 through 8.4.10 and 9.7.0 through 9.7.1
MySQL Cluster versions 8.0.0 through 8.0.47 and 8.4.0 through 8.4.10
MySQL Cluster versions 9.7.0 through 9.7.1

Discovery Timeline

2026-07-21 - CVE-2026-60182 published to NVD
2026-07-23 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2026-60182

Vulnerability Analysis

The vulnerability resides in the MySQL Clone Plugin, which handles cloning of data between MySQL instances for provisioning replicas and Group Replication members. The Clone Plugin processes network requests over MySQL protocols and manages significant server-side resources during clone operations. A flaw in this component allows a high-privileged authenticated attacker to induce a resource exhaustion condition, resulting in a hang or a repeatable crash.

The attack requires elevated MySQL privileges, such as BACKUP_ADMIN or CLONE_ADMIN, and exploitation complexity is high. Once triggered, the condition halts database services and disrupts dependent applications. The impact scope is limited to availability, with no data disclosure or modification.

Root Cause

The root cause is uncontrolled resource consumption [CWE-400] within the Clone Plugin. The plugin fails to properly bound resource usage or handle specific input conditions during clone request processing, allowing an authenticated actor to force the server into an unrecoverable state. Oracle has not published exploitation specifics beyond the advisory summary.

Attack Vector

The attack vector is network-based and requires multiple protocols to be reachable by the attacker. The adversary must already hold high privileges on the target MySQL instance, meaning the vulnerability is most relevant in scenarios involving compromised administrative credentials or insider threats. Refer to the Oracle Security Alert July 2026 for the vendor advisory.

No verified public proof-of-concept code is available for this vulnerability. The vulnerability mechanism is described in prose based on Oracle's advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2026-60182

Indicators of Compromise

Unexpected MySQL Server or MySQL Cluster process crashes or hangs correlated with Clone Plugin activity in the error log
CLONE INSTANCE statements originating from unusual sources or accounts within the MySQL general query log
Repeated abnormal termination events for mysqld on production database hosts

Detection Strategies

Audit MySQL user privileges to identify accounts holding BACKUP_ADMIN or CLONE_ADMIN and monitor their session activity
Enable and review the MySQL audit log for clone-related operations invoked outside of scheduled maintenance windows
Correlate database service availability alerts with authentication events for privileged accounts

Monitoring Recommendations

Monitor mysqld process uptime and restart frequency through host-level telemetry
Track MySQL error log entries referencing the Clone Plugin, replication provisioning, or unexpected shutdowns
Alert on sudden spikes in memory or file descriptor usage on database hosts hosting affected MySQL versions

How to Mitigate CVE-2026-60182

Immediate Actions Required

Apply the July 2026 Oracle Critical Patch Update to all affected MySQL Server and MySQL Cluster instances
Inventory MySQL deployments and confirm version alignment with the affected ranges listed by Oracle
Restrict and rotate credentials for accounts holding privileges required to invoke the Clone Plugin

Patch Information

Oracle released fixes for CVE-2026-60182 in the July 2026 Critical Patch Update. Administrators should upgrade beyond MySQL Server 8.4.10 and 9.7.1, and MySQL Cluster 8.0.47, 8.4.10, and 9.7.1, according to the Oracle Security Alert July 2026.

Workarounds

Limit network exposure of MySQL Server and MySQL Cluster instances to trusted management networks only
Revoke BACKUP_ADMIN and CLONE_ADMIN privileges from accounts that do not require clone functionality
Enforce strong authentication and multi-factor access controls for all administrative database accounts

bash

# Configuration example: revoke Clone Plugin privileges from non-essential accounts
REVOKE BACKUP_ADMIN, CLONE_ADMIN ON *.* FROM 'app_user'@'%';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;