CVE-2001-1255 in MySQL
Summary
by MITRE
WinMySQLadmin 1.1 stores the MySQL password in plain text in the my.ini file, which allows local users to obtain unathorized access the MySQL database.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2001-1255 represents a critical security flaw in WinMySQLadmin version 1.1 that fundamentally compromises database security through improper credential storage practices. This issue stems from the application's design decision to persistently store MySQL database passwords in plain text format within the my.ini configuration file, creating an inherent weakness that directly violates established security principles for credential management. The flaw exists at the configuration persistence layer where sensitive authentication information is written to disk without any form of encryption or obfuscation, making it immediately accessible to any user with file system access to the affected system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a clear violation of security best practices and can be categorized under CWE-522, which specifically addresses insufficiently protected credentials. When WinMySQLadmin saves database connection parameters, it includes the password in cleartext format, allowing any local user with read access to the configuration file to extract the password and subsequently gain unauthorized access to the MySQL database. This represents a fundamental failure in the application's security architecture where the authentication mechanism is undermined by poor storage practices rather than weaknesses in the database itself. The vulnerability operates at the operating system level, exploiting the lack of proper file permissions or encryption mechanisms that should protect sensitive configuration data.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk vector for local attackers who can easily exploit the stored credentials to gain database access without requiring additional authentication factors or complex attack vectors. The attack surface expands considerably as any user with local system access can potentially read the configuration file and extract the password, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in multi-user environments where privilege escalation attacks are not necessary. This vulnerability directly enables unauthorized database access, data theft, data modification, and potential privilege escalation within the database environment, as the attacker can leverage the extracted credentials to perform administrative operations on the MySQL database.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through patching the affected WinMySQLadmin version or implementing alternative database management tools that properly handle credential storage. Organizations should enforce strict file system permissions on configuration files containing sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized administrative users can read these files. Additionally, implementing proper credential management practices such as using encrypted configuration storage, employing centralized authentication systems, or utilizing database connection pooling with secure credential handling mechanisms would significantly reduce the risk. The remediation process should also include regular security audits of configuration files and monitoring for unauthorized access attempts to sensitive system resources. This vulnerability highlights the importance of following the principle of least privilege and demonstrates how simple design flaws in credential handling can create severe security implications that affect database integrity and confidentiality.