Database end-of-life is among the highest-risk EOL scenarios in any environment. Databases hold the most sensitive data, are often the most difficult to migrate, and are frequently overlooked in lifecycle audits because they remain stable and functional long after support ends.
An EOL database continues to function normally — queries execute, data persists, applications operate. This functional stability is exactly what makes database EOL so dangerous. There is no visible signal that the system is accumulating unpatched vulnerabilities. Security teams often discover EOL databases only after a breach, not before.
MySQL 5.7 reached EOL in October 2023 and remains one of the most widely deployed database versions globally. MySQL 8.0 reached EOL in April 2026. Redis 6.x and 7.0 are both past end of life. These are not obscure versions — they are production workhorses running in environments of every scale.
Database migration carries real risk and complexity, but the risk of running EOL database software in production environments that handle sensitive data is greater. A phased migration approach — read replica on new version, validate, promote — reduces risk while ensuring continuity.