CVE-2010-4177 in MySQL-GUI-tools
Summary
by MITRE
mysql-gui-tools (mysql-query-browser and mysql-admin) before 5.0r14+openSUSE-2.3 exposes the password of a user connected to the MySQL server in clear text form via the list of running processes.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4177 affects mysql-gui-tools including mysql-query-browser and mysql-admin versions prior to 5.0r14+openSUSE-2.3. This represents a critical security flaw in database administration tools that are widely used by system administrators and developers for managing mysql database environments. The vulnerability stems from the improper handling of authentication credentials within the tool's process execution model, creating a persistent exposure of sensitive information.
The technical flaw manifests when users establish connections to mysql servers through the affected graphical tools. During the connection process, the tools store the password in plain text format within the process memory and command line arguments of the running processes. This occurs because the mysql-gui-tools do not implement proper credential sanitization or encryption mechanisms when passing authentication parameters to the underlying mysql client utilities. The password remains visible in clear text within the process list accessible through standard system monitoring tools such as ps, top, or other process inspection utilities.
This vulnerability creates significant operational impact by exposing sensitive authentication information to any user with access to process information on the system. Attackers can exploit this weakness by simply running process monitoring commands to discover active database connections and extract passwords from the command line arguments or process memory. The exposure persists for the duration of the connection session, potentially allowing unauthorized access to database resources, privilege escalation, or lateral movement within the network infrastructure. This weakness directly violates security principles of least privilege and credential protection, as sensitive information is unnecessarily exposed in an easily accessible format.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-256, which addresses the issue of storing passwords in cleartext, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1552.001, which covers unsecured credentials. Organizations using these tools face increased risk of credential compromise, particularly in multi-user environments where process visibility is not properly restricted. The flaw represents a classic case of insecure credential handling in GUI applications, where the convenience of graphical interfaces comes at the cost of security. Effective mitigation requires immediate patching to version 5.0r14+openSUSE-2.3 or later, along with implementing process monitoring restrictions and credential management best practices. System administrators should also consider alternative secure connection methods such as SSH tunneling or encrypted connection protocols to reduce the attack surface and prevent unauthorized access to database resources through process enumeration techniques.