see https://github.com/mariadb-corporation/mariadb-connector-nodejs/issues/96
Azure is using a proxy that will return a MySQL handshake not reflecting real server.

from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/mariadb/concepts-supported-versions :

Note: In the service, a gateway is used to redirect the connections to server instances. After the connection is established, the MySQL client displays the version of MariaDB set in the gateway, not the actual version running on your MariaDB server instance. To determine the version of your MariaDB server instance, use the SELECT VERSION(); command.

A new option `forceVersionCheck` has to be added to permit issuing a new SELECT @@version to retrieve the correct server version. Connector will then act according to that server version.