Check MySQL Version - it's that easy

When it comes to databases, MySQL has long been considered an unofficial convention and standard for web applications such as dynamic content in Content Management Systems (CMS), until it was replaced by the compatible fork MariaDB due to various advantages. Experts estimate that about nine out of ten websites use this relational data storage method for data management. To ensure compatibility and security, it is recommended to regularly check the version of MySQL being used - this way, users can also find out if their provider has installed the newly released updates of the software and operating system.

Why is the MySQL Version important?

A high number of attacks on websites - regardless of whether they use a fixed environment like web hosting, Virtual Private Server hosting, or Dedicated Servers - have been carried out for some time through database queries and are known as SQL Injection. Criminals exploit the fact that the responsible MySQL or MariaDB servers must have extensive access rights and manage sensitive information such as passwords, emails, usernames, and personal data. These queries are part of everyday operations and sometimes occur hundreds or thousands of times per second - making precise logging through log files less clear and equally storage- and resource-intensive. Due to these characteristics, a database is an important target for efficiently and inconspicuously infiltrating foreign systems or stealing security-critical data.

Querying the installed version is sensible and recommended for two reasons: Firstly, it allows for checking the compatibility of a CMS and its hosting system - furthermore, using outdated programs poses an acute security risk because IT experts publicly disclose vulnerabilities in hardware and software after a reasonable period for remediation. This established and proven approach in the Open Source community serves to warn users in the absence of a response from manufacturers and responsible programmers and to implement their own protective measures.

How to Check the Version of MySQL?

When a website is accessed, communication between the client and the database typically occurs discreetly in the background. Because this communication is primarily used internally by the server and disclosing specifications such as the software being used is considered critical, a web server does not pass on details that are not relevant for a response or its responsibility. For this reason, the version of MySQL cannot simply be queried via a web browser unless the provider offers a specific function such as a PHP Info file. Therefore, various methods can be used to determine the current MySQL version, either by directly contacting the server or making its communication with other programs transparent. Possible approaches include:

• Voluntary disclosure in the customer panel of a web hosting provider
• Simple server query via SSH in the command line
• Accessing the backend of a CMS such as the WordPress Dashboard
• Additional software for database management like phpMyAdmin
• Direct connection to the database server, usually via Port 3306
• Specific inquiry to the customer service or support of a web hosting provider
• Personal administration on a virtual or dedicated server

How to determine the MySQL version via phpMyAdmin?

Most web hosting providers use the software phpMyAdmin, released under the open-source GPL 2.0 license, to provide their customers with direct access to their database through a clear and convenient web interface. It is by far the most popular interface for commercial and private administration of MySQL or MariaDB. Additionally, the software also allows querying the environment being used, including the MySQL version. This information can be found directly on the main page under the Database Server menu, which, along with other features such as the type of connection, the currently logged-in user, and the encoding used for languages and special characters, also displays the MySQL Server version. Due to the extremely high market share and the widespread use of phpMyAdmin, this remains the most commonly used method to access a database in MySQL or to gather details about its environment.

Photo: mcmurryjulie on Pixabay