CVE-2014-0437 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the MySQL Server component in Oracle MySQL 5.1.72 and earlier, 5.5.34 and earlier, and 5.6.14 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Optimizer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0437 resides within the MySQL Server component of Oracle MySQL database systems, specifically affecting versions 5.1.72 and earlier, 5.5.34 and earlier, and 5.6.14 and earlier. This issue represents a significant security concern as it enables remote authenticated attackers to compromise the availability of MySQL services through unspecified vectors related to the query optimizer module. The vulnerability classification as unspecified indicates that the exact technical details of how the optimizer component can be exploited remain undisclosed, which is common for certain types of availability-related flaws that may involve complex interactions within database query processing. The affected versions span multiple major releases, suggesting this was a widespread issue that required immediate attention from database administrators and security teams across various deployments.
The technical flaw manifests within the optimizer subsystem of MySQL Server, which is responsible for determining the most efficient execution plan for database queries. When an authenticated user submits specific query patterns or operations, the optimizer may encounter conditions that cause the MySQL server process to become unresponsive or crash entirely. This behavior typically occurs during query optimization phases where the system attempts to analyze multiple execution paths and select the optimal one. The vulnerability likely involves improper handling of certain query constructs or data structures within the optimizer's decision-making algorithms, potentially leading to infinite loops, stack overflows, or resource exhaustion scenarios. Such issues fall under the broader category of denial of service vulnerabilities, where legitimate database operations are disrupted through malicious or malformed inputs.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-0437 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database availability within affected systems. Remote authenticated users who can establish connections to the MySQL server and execute queries can leverage this vulnerability to cause service outages, leading to business disruption and potential data access issues. The severity is particularly concerning because the attack requires only authentication credentials, which are often less restricted than those needed for more sophisticated exploits. Organizations running affected MySQL versions face risks of unauthorized service interruption, which could result in financial losses, compliance violations, and damage to customer trust. The vulnerability affects database availability at a fundamental level, as it impacts the core query processing capabilities that underpin all database operations, making it critical for database administrators to implement immediate mitigations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0437 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of MySQL Server, which would address the underlying optimizer issues that lead to availability problems. Organizations should prioritize updating their MySQL installations to versions that have been released after the vulnerability disclosure, typically MySQL 5.1.73, 5.5.35, and 5.6.15 or later, depending on their current deployment. Additionally, implementing network-level access controls and limiting authentication privileges can help reduce the attack surface by restricting who can connect to database systems. Database administrators should also consider monitoring query execution patterns and implementing query timeouts to prevent malicious users from exploiting the vulnerability through prolonged query execution. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-400, which covers unspecified errors in resource management, and may relate to ATT&CK techniques involving service stoppage and denial of service attacks. Organizations should also review their incident response procedures to ensure they can quickly detect and respond to availability issues that may indicate exploitation of this vulnerability.