CVE-2014-0431 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.6.14 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to InnoDB, a different vulnerability than CVE-2013-5881.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0431 represents a significant availability risk within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.6.14 and earlier, specifically impacting the InnoDB storage engine component. This issue affects remote authenticated users who can exploit unspecified vectors to disrupt system availability, making it a critical concern for database administrators and security professionals managing MySQL environments. The vulnerability's classification as affecting InnoDB directly impacts the database's ability to maintain consistent operations and data integrity, particularly in production environments where database uptime is paramount. Unlike CVE-2013-5881 which addressed different aspects of MySQL's security, this vulnerability specifically targets the InnoDB engine's operational stability and resilience against malicious or accidental disruption attempts.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from the complex interactions within MySQL's InnoDB storage engine implementation, where authenticated users can potentially trigger conditions that lead to system unavailability. The unspecified vectors suggest that the exact exploitation mechanism remains partially obscured, which complicates the development of precise defensive measures and increases the difficulty of assessing risk levels. This type of vulnerability typically manifests through manipulation of database operations, transaction handling, or storage engine processes that can cause the database service to crash, become unresponsive, or require manual intervention to restore normal operations. The authentication requirement indicates that attackers must first establish valid credentials, but once authenticated, they can leverage this vulnerability to compromise system availability rather than directly accessing or modifying data.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0431 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially cause cascading failures in applications that depend on MySQL availability. Organizations running MySQL 5.6.14 and earlier versions face risks of extended downtime, service degradation, and potential data loss scenarios when this vulnerability is exploited. The vulnerability affects systems where InnoDB is actively used as the primary storage engine, which includes the vast majority of modern MySQL deployments. Database administrators must consider the implications for business continuity, disaster recovery procedures, and incident response protocols when addressing this vulnerability, as the availability impact can significantly affect customer-facing applications and internal business processes. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur from any location with network access to the database server, increasing the attack surface and potential for widespread impact.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0431 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of Oracle MySQL Server, specifically versions beyond 5.6.14 where the vulnerability has been addressed. Organizations should prioritize immediate patch deployment while maintaining comprehensive backup and recovery procedures to minimize potential downtime during the update process. Network segmentation and access controls can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the number of authenticated users who can potentially exploit this vulnerability. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual database behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around InnoDB transaction handling and storage engine operations. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected MySQL versions and establish clear remediation timelines. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and buffer handling, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving service stoppage and availability disruption to achieve broader attack objectives. Organizations should also consider implementing database activity monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous InnoDB behavior patterns and alert security teams to potential exploitation attempts.