CVE-2014-6559 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 confidentiality via vectors related to C API SSL CERTIFICATE HANDLING.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-6559 represents a critical security flaw in Oracle MySQL Server versions 5.5.39 and earlier, as well as 5.6.20 and earlier, specifically within the C API SSL certificate handling functionality. This issue falls under the broader category of cryptographic vulnerabilities that can compromise data confidentiality in database environments. The unspecified nature of the vulnerability description suggests that the exact technical mechanism remains undisclosed, but the impact clearly demonstrates a weakness in how SSL certificates are processed within the MySQL C Application Programming Interface. Such vulnerabilities in database server software pose significant risks to organizations relying on MySQL for their data storage and retrieval operations.
The technical flaw manifests in the improper handling of SSL certificates during the C API operations, which can potentially allow remote attackers to access sensitive information or manipulate database communications. This weakness in the SSL certificate processing mechanism creates opportunities for attackers to intercept or modify data transmitted between MySQL clients and servers. The vulnerability's classification as affecting the C API indicates that applications built using MySQL's C client libraries are particularly at risk, as these libraries handle the underlying network communication and security protocols. The issue directly impacts the integrity of encrypted communications and can lead to unauthorized data access or disclosure.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to database security since it allows remote exploitation without requiring authentication or local access. Attackers can potentially leverage this weakness to conduct man-in-the-middle attacks, intercept encrypted database connections, or gain access to sensitive data that should remain protected through SSL encryption. Organizations using affected MySQL versions may experience data breaches, regulatory compliance violations, and potential financial losses due to compromised database confidentiality. The remote attack vector means that threat actors can exploit this vulnerability from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly dangerous for database servers exposed to public networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-6559 should prioritize immediate patching of affected MySQL server versions to the latest available releases that contain fixes for this SSL certificate handling vulnerability. System administrators should implement network segmentation to limit access to database servers and ensure that only authorized applications and users can establish connections. Monitoring network traffic for unusual SSL handshake patterns or certificate-related anomalies can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing alternative authentication mechanisms and encryption protocols as additional security layers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-310, which addresses cryptographic weaknesses, and represents a potential entry point for techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework's credential access and defense evasion domains. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar weaknesses in database configurations and ensure comprehensive protection against similar cryptographic vulnerabilities.