Not 'has to', there are alternatives. As mentioned, the CA worked fine. It has the advantage over most things that it wicks into cracks and coats the whole surface, plus has good bonding strength to help ensure that the crack doesn't continue. This was for under a wipe-on poly finish, and the cracks are completely invisible now.
It was naturally dried timber. I haven't struck any other cracking, just this one which extends a long way into the block - I traced and marked it for the future.