CVE-2014-4287 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.38 and earlier and 5.6.19 and earlier allows remote authenticated users to affect availability via vectors related to SERVER:CHARACTER SETS.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-4287 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server implementations across multiple version ranges. This weakness specifically manifests in the server's handling of character set operations, creating potential for remote authenticated attackers to disrupt system availability. The unspecified nature of the exact flaw mechanism suggests a complex interaction within the MySQL server's character set processing subsystem that could be exploited through carefully crafted database operations. The vulnerability affects both MySQL 5.5.x versions up to 5.5.38 and 5.6.x versions up to 5.6.19, indicating a widespread impact across the MySQL server product line during this critical timeframe.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through authenticated remote access vectors that leverage the server's character set handling capabilities. Attackers who have established valid credentials can manipulate database operations that involve character set processing, potentially leading to resource exhaustion, process termination, or system instability. This type of vulnerability typically involves improper input validation or memory management within the character set conversion routines that MySQL employs when processing data. The flaw likely stems from inadequate bounds checking or buffer management during character set transformations, allowing malicious inputs to trigger unexpected behavior in the server's core operations. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability would align with CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, or CWE-122, heap-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific mechanism may vary based on the precise implementation details.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-4287 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire database availability. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can cause MySQL server processes to crash or become unresponsive, leading to extended downtime for applications dependent on the database. The availability compromise can affect critical business operations, particularly in environments where database uptime is essential for business continuity. Organizations may experience cascading failures as dependent applications lose database connectivity, potentially leading to revenue loss and customer service degradation. The authenticated nature of the attack means that the threat is not limited to external attackers but could also originate from compromised internal accounts, making it particularly dangerous in environments with elevated privilege access. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting database services, and represents a significant risk to enterprise database security postures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4287 should prioritize immediate patch deployment for affected MySQL versions, as Oracle would have released security updates addressing the specific character set processing flaws. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to database servers and enforce strict authentication controls to reduce the attack surface. Monitoring systems should be enhanced to detect unusual database operations that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around character set conversion activities. Database administrators should consider implementing connection throttling and resource limiting measures to prevent exploitation from causing complete service disruption. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for outdated MySQL installations, as this vulnerability represents a known weakness that remains exploitable in unpatched systems. The remediation process should also include comprehensive testing of patches in staging environments to ensure compatibility with existing database applications and configurations.