CVE-2000-0981 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
MySQL Database Engine uses a weak authentication method which leaks information that could be used by a remote attacker to recover the password.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2000-0981 represents a critical weakness in the MySQL database engine's authentication mechanism that exposes sensitive credential information to remote attackers. This flaw stems from the database engine's implementation of password handling processes that inadvertently reveal password details during authentication attempts, creating a significant security risk for database environments utilizing MySQL versions affected by this issue. The vulnerability specifically impacts the authentication protocol's design and implementation, where the system's response to authentication failures contains sufficient information to enable attackers to reconstruct valid passwords through systematic analysis of the leaked data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-256, which describes weaknesses related to weak or inadequate authentication mechanisms, and CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses in authentication systems. The flaw operates by exploiting the information disclosure characteristics within MySQL's authentication flow, where legitimate authentication attempts provide attackers with enough data points to perform password recovery attacks. When a remote attacker submits authentication requests, the database engine's response contains subtle variations in error messages or timing characteristics that reveal information about the validity of password attempts, ultimately allowing for password reconstruction through brute force or dictionary attack methodologies. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1110.003, which covers credential access through brute force methods, as the information leakage effectively reduces the complexity of password recovery operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2000-0981 extends beyond simple credential theft to encompass broader database security implications that can compromise entire database environments. Organizations utilizing vulnerable MySQL installations face significant risks including unauthorized database access, data exfiltration, privilege escalation attacks, and potential system compromise through database exploitation. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it from external networks without requiring physical access to the database server, making it particularly dangerous for internet-facing database systems. Database administrators may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, including customer data, financial records, and proprietary business information, potentially leading to regulatory compliance violations and substantial financial losses. The attack surface expands when considering that many applications rely on MySQL for backend data storage, meaning a single compromised database could affect multiple applications and services within an organization's infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate implementation of security patches and configuration changes to address the root cause of the information leakage. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of MySQL that correct the authentication mechanism flaws, while implementing additional security controls such as network segmentation, firewall rules, and intrusion detection systems to limit access to database servers. Database administrators should consider implementing stronger authentication methods including SSL/TLS encryption for database connections, account lockout policies, and monitoring mechanisms to detect suspicious authentication attempts. The solution approach should align with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards, focusing on authentication controls and access management. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough security assessments to identify any other systems that may be vulnerable to similar information leakage issues, ensuring comprehensive protection against credential-based attacks that exploit weak authentication mechanisms.