workbench 6.3 connecting to old mysql database (no replies)

Hello,

I just installed the new ubuntu (17.10)that comes with mysql workbench 6.3.8. I still want to access an old 5.077 mysql database, but when trying to do so the workbench crashes and in wb.log I find the statement:

[ERR][ WBContext]: Unsupported server version: MySQL Community Edition (GPL) 5.0.77-community-log

I know this is a pretty old database and we will upgrade, but I can't do this overnight. I can still access this database with a new mysql client after I made sure the passwords have the long hash (mysql Ver 14.14 Distrib 5.7.20, for Linux (x86_64) using EditLine wrapper).

Two questions:
1. isn't workbench using the installed mysql client?
2. is there a workaround, so I can still use the new workbench with the old server?

thanks in advance,
dirk