CVE-2014-6507 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 authenticated users to affect confidentiality, integrity, and availability via vectors related to SERVER:DML.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6507 represents a critical security flaw within Oracle MySQL Server affecting versions 5.5.39 and earlier, as well as 5.6.20 and earlier. This unspecified weakness resides within the SERVER:DML component of the database system, indicating that the vulnerability manifests during Data Manipulation Language operations. The affected MySQL versions represent widely deployed database solutions that serve as foundational components for countless applications and services across enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as remote authenticated means that an attacker must possess valid credentials to exploit the flaw, yet this requirement does not diminish the severity of potential impact. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, which is common with certain types of database security flaws that may involve complex interactions between multiple system components.
The technical implications of this vulnerability extend across all three fundamental pillars of information security confidentiality, integrity, and availability. When exploited, the flaw could enable authenticated remote attackers to compromise database contents through unauthorized data access and modification operations. The DML-related nature of the vulnerability suggests that it may affect operations such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE commands, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate database records or extract sensitive information. This type of vulnerability represents a serious concern for database administrators as it could enable data breaches, unauthorized modifications to critical business data, or service disruption through availability attacks. The vulnerability's presence in multiple MySQL versions indicates a systemic weakness that affects a broad range of deployed systems, making it particularly dangerous for organizations with legacy database infrastructure.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-6507 extends beyond immediate data compromise to encompass broader security implications for enterprise environments. Organizations utilizing affected MySQL versions face potential exposure to data leakage scenarios where confidential information could be accessed or altered by malicious actors with legitimate database credentials. The integrity aspect of the vulnerability poses risks for data corruption or manipulation attacks that could undermine business processes relying on accurate database information. Availability concerns arise from the possibility of service disruption through exploitation of the vulnerability, potentially leading to database unavailability or performance degradation that impacts business operations. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-119 which addresses weaknesses in memory management and buffer overflows, though the specific nature of the flaw may involve other underlying mechanisms. The attack surface for this vulnerability encompasses database administrators, application developers, and any system components that interact with the affected MySQL instances through authenticated connections.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6507 must prioritize immediate system hardening and upgrade procedures to address the underlying vulnerability. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to upgrade to MySQL versions that have been verified as free from this vulnerability, specifically targeting versions beyond the affected 5.5.39 and 5.6.20 releases. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by limiting database user permissions and implementing strict access controls to minimize potential damage from authenticated attacks. Network segmentation and firewall rules should restrict database access to authorized systems only, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation attempts. Monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual database activities that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly around DML operations. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1078 which covers legitimate credentials and valid accounts, emphasizing the importance of credential management and access control measures. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all affected systems and implement layered security controls that address both the specific vulnerability and broader database security posture improvements.