CVE-2014-6478 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 attackers to affect integrity via vectors related to SERVER:SSL:yaSSL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6478 resides within Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.38 and earlier, as well as 5.6.19 and earlier, representing a significant security weakness that impacts the integrity of database operations. This flaw specifically manifests within the server's SSL implementation through the yaSSL library, which serves as a critical component for secure communication between database clients and servers. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability indicates that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, though its classification suggests a serious weakness that could be exploited by remote attackers without requiring authentication or local access privileges.
The technical flaw operates through the SSL subsystem of MySQL Server, specifically leveraging the yaSSL library implementation that handles secure socket layer communications. This vulnerability affects the integrity aspect of the CIA triad, meaning that attackers could potentially modify data or disrupt the proper functioning of database operations without detection. The attack vector being remote and targeting SSL functionality indicates that malicious actors could exploit this weakness from external networks, making it particularly dangerous for database environments that are exposed to the internet or require network connectivity for legitimate operations. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version ranges suggests it was a persistent issue that affected a broad user base within the MySQL ecosystem.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risk for organizations relying on MySQL databases for critical data storage and processing activities. Attackers exploiting this weakness could potentially compromise the integrity of stored data, manipulate database transactions, or disrupt normal database operations through carefully crafted SSL-related communications. The remote exploitation capability means that organizations with publicly accessible MySQL servers face heightened risk, particularly in environments where proper network segmentation and access controls may not be adequately implemented. Database administrators would face challenges in detecting unauthorized modifications since the attack could occur through legitimate SSL connections, making forensic analysis more complex.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-284, which addresses improper access control in software systems, and potentially relates to CWE-310, concerning cryptographic issues that weaken security protocols. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw would likely be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework within the initial access and persistence domains, as it provides a method for attackers to establish footholds within database environments. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of MySQL Server, implementing network segmentation to limit direct access to database servers, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for anomalous SSL traffic patterns. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database infrastructure components, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date cryptographic implementations within database systems.