MariaDB Connector/Node.js up to 3.2.3/3.3.2/3.4.5/3.5.2 PAM Authentication pam-password-auth.js SendPamAuthPacketFactory missing encryption

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability was found in MariaDB Connector and Node.js up to 3.2.3/3.3.2/3.4.5/3.5.2. It has been classified as problematic. This issue affects the function SendPamAuthPacketFactory of the file lib/cmd/handshake/auth/pam-password-auth.js of the component PAM Authentication. This manipulation causes missing encryption. This vulnerability is handled as CVE-2026-55854. The attack can be initiated remotely. There is not any exploit available.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in MariaDB Connector and Node.js up to 3.2.3/3.3.2/3.4.5/3.5.2. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function SendPamAuthPacketFactory of the file lib/cmd/handshake/auth/pam-password-auth.js of the component PAM Authentication. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a missing encryption vulnerability. The CWE definition for the vulnerability is CWE-311. The product does not encrypt sensitive or critical information before storage or transmission. As an impact it is known to affect confidentiality. The summary by CVE is:

MariaDB Connector/Node.js is used to connect applications developed on Node.js to MariaDB and MySQL databases. Prior to 3.2.4, 3.3.3, 3.4.6, and 3.5.3, MariaDB Connector/Node.js can disclose an account password when PAM dialog authentication is negotiated over an insecure transport. In lib/cmd/handshake/auth/pam-password-auth.js and lib/cmd/handshake/authentication.js, the SendPamAuthPacketFactory behavior for the server-side plugin dialog lacked the secure-transport gate applied to mysql_clear_password. With the default sslMode=DISABLE and restrictedAuth=null settings, a hostile or on-path server can send an Authentication Switch Request for dialog over plain TCP, causing the connector to return the account password in cleartext. Properly verified TLS and a local Unix socket prevent this path, while fingerprint-only server identity validation is not sufficient. This issue is fixed in versions 3.2.4, 3.3.3, 3.4.6, and 3.5.3.

The advisory is shared at github.com. This vulnerability is known as CVE-2026-55854 since 06/17/2026. The exploitation appears to be difficult. The attack can be launched remotely. The exploitation doesn't need any form of authentication. Technical details are known, but no exploit is available. MITRE ATT&CK project uses the attack technique T1600 for this issue.

Upgrading to version 3.2.4, 3.3.3, 3.4.6 or 3.5.3 eliminates this vulnerability.

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Type

• JavaScript Library

Vendor

• MariaDB

Name

• Connector
• Node.js

Version

• 3.2.0
• 3.2.1
• 3.2.2
• 3.2.3
• 3.3.0
• 3.3.1
• 3.3.2
• 3.4.0
• 3.4.1
• 3.4.2
• 3.4.3
• 3.4.4
• 3.4.5
• 3.5.0
• 3.5.1
• 3.5.2

License

• open-source

CPE 2.3info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CPE 2.2info

• 🔒
• 🔒
• 🔒

CVSSv4info

CVSSv3info

CVSSv2info

Exploitinginfo

Threat Intelligenceinfo

Countermeasuresinfo

Timelineinfo

Sourcesinfo

Entryinfo

Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.

Discussion