CVE-2014-2431 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.36 and earlier and 5.6.16 and earlier allows remote attackers to affect availability via unknown vectors related to Options.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-2431 represents a significant security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.36 and earlier, as well as 5.6.16 and earlier, where remote attackers can potentially disrupt system availability through unspecified attack vectors associated with option handling mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the broader category of availability impacts, which can severely compromise the operational integrity of database systems that rely on MySQL for critical data management functions. The unspecified nature of the exact attack vectors makes this vulnerability particularly concerning as it may encompass multiple exploitation pathways that could be leveraged by threat actors to cause system downtime or service disruption.
The technical flaw within MySQL Server relates to how the system processes certain options, which creates potential entry points for attackers to manipulate system behavior and potentially cause denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability typically stems from improper input validation or insufficient sanitization of option parameters that are processed during server initialization or runtime operations. The weakness in option handling could allow attackers to craft malicious inputs that trigger unexpected behavior in the MySQL server daemon, potentially leading to crashes, resource exhaustion, or other availability-impacting conditions that prevent legitimate users from accessing database services. Such vulnerabilities often align with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, or similar memory corruption issues that can occur when option parameters are not properly validated or handled during processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-2431 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the entire database infrastructure, especially in environments where MySQL servers handle critical business data and transactions. Organizations relying on affected MySQL versions may experience unexpected downtime, data access interruptions, and potential cascading failures in applications that depend on database connectivity. The remote nature of the attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability from external networks without requiring physical access or local system credentials, making the threat landscape more severe and accessible. This vulnerability can be particularly damaging in high-availability environments where database uptime is critical for business operations, as it could lead to extended service outages and potential financial losses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-2431 should focus on immediate patch deployment for affected MySQL versions, along with comprehensive network segmentation and monitoring of database server communications. Organizations should implement network-level controls to restrict unnecessary access to MySQL ports and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous option parameter usage patterns. The remediation process requires careful testing of patches in development environments before deployment to production systems to avoid potential compatibility issues or service disruptions during the update process. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances of affected MySQL versions within their infrastructure and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure and business criticality. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date database software and implementing robust patch management processes to protect against known exploits that could compromise system availability and data integrity. The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks that target availability and can be executed through various means including exploitation of software vulnerabilities in database systems.