CVE-2014-6496 in MySQL Server
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Oracle MySQL Server 5.5.39 and earlier, and 5.6.20 and earlier, allows remote attackers to affect availability via vectors related to CLIENT:SSL:yaSSL, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-6494.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6496 represents a significant availability threat within Oracle MySQL Server implementations that affects versions 5.5.39 and earlier, as well as 5.6.20 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the client-side ssl yaSSL component, creating a potential attack vector that remote adversaries can exploit to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability is classified as unspecified in its exact nature but is distinct from CVE-2014-6494, indicating that it operates through different technical mechanisms while sharing similar attack surface characteristics.
The technical flaw resides within the MySQL Server's handling of SSL connections through the yaSSL library implementation, particularly when processing client-side authentication and connection establishment. This weakness manifests during the SSL handshake process where the server fails to properly validate or handle certain SSL protocol parameters, potentially leading to denial of service conditions. The vulnerability's impact on availability stems from the server's inability to maintain stable connection handling under specific SSL negotiation scenarios, which can cause the service to become unresponsive or crash entirely.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a critical risk to database availability in environments where SSL connections are actively used for client-server communication. Attackers can leverage this weakness to perform availability attacks that disrupt legitimate database access, potentially causing service degradation or complete outages. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries do not require local system access or credentials, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where database servers are accessible from multiple locations.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL Server installations to address this vulnerability, as the risk of exploitation can lead to significant business disruption. The mitigation strategy should include comprehensive testing of patched versions in staging environments before production deployment to ensure no regressions in functionality. Additionally, network segmentation and firewall rules can be implemented to restrict unnecessary access to MySQL services, particularly those that do not require SSL connections. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual connection patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-200, which covers "Information Exposure," and CWE-310, addressing "Cryptographic Issues," while also relating to ATT&CK techniques such as T1499 for "Endpoint Denial of Service" and T1566 for "Phishing with Social Engineering." The attack surface is particularly concerning given that SSL connections are fundamental to secure database communications, making this vulnerability a prime target for adversaries seeking to disrupt database availability. The distinction from CVE-2014-6494 demonstrates that multiple vulnerabilities can exist within the same software component, requiring comprehensive vulnerability management approaches to ensure complete protection coverage.