MySQLMD5

MySQLMD5 is a password hashing function used in MySQL database management systems to securely store user credentials. Introduced as part of MySQL's authentication mechanisms, it generates a hash value from a user-provided password combined with a salt, ensuring that plaintext passwords are never stored in the database. The function is designed to resist basic brute-force attacks by incorporating a unique salt for each password, preventing rainbow table attacks.

The MD5 algorithm, a widely used cryptographic hash function, serves as the core of MySQLMD5. When a user logs in, MySQL recomputes the hash using the stored salt and compares it to the stored hash. If they match, access is granted. While MD5 is faster than more secure alternatives like SHA-256 or bcrypt, it is considered vulnerable to collision attacks and is not recommended for modern security standards. MySQLMD5 remains in use primarily for backward compatibility with older systems.

To create a MySQLMD5 hash, the password is concatenated with a salt, and the MD5 function is applied to the result. The salt is typically a fixed-length string, often derived from the user account details. For example, in MySQL 5.0 and earlier, the salt was generated as a hexadecimal string of 22 characters, combining the user's name and a random value. Later versions introduced more secure salt generation methods.

Despite its limitations, MySQLMD5 remains a part of MySQL's authentication framework, particularly in legacy systems. For new implementations, administrators are advised to use stronger hashing algorithms like SHA-256 or dedicated password hashing functions like bcrypt or Argon2 to enhance security against modern threats.