PostgreSQL Vulnerability List: Common Security Issues and CVEs
PostgreSQL is known for its robust security features, but like any complex software, it can have vulnerabilities. Understanding common security issues and CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) is essential for maintaining a secure PostgreSQL deployment.
Common PostgreSQL Security Vulnerabilities
1. SQL Injection
Description: Attackers inject malicious SQL code through user inputs to manipulate database queries.
Risk Level: Critical
Mitigation:
- Use parameterized queries and prepared statements
- Implement input validation and sanitization
- Use ORM frameworks that handle parameterization
- Apply principle of least privilege for database users
2. Privilege Escalation
Description: Users gain unauthorized access to higher privilege levels or sensitive data.
Risk Level: High
Mitigation:
- Implement row-level security (RLS)
- Regularly audit user permissions
- Use role-based access control (RBAC)
- Review and minimize superuser access
3. Weak Authentication
Description: Insufficient authentication mechanisms allowing unauthorized access.
Risk Level: Critical
Mitigation:
- Use strong password policies
- Implement SSL/TLS for connections
- Enable certificate-based authentication
- Configure pg_hba.conf properly
- Use SCRAM-SHA-256 instead of MD5
4. Data Exposure Through Logs
Description: Sensitive information leaked through PostgreSQL logs.
Risk Level: Medium
Mitigation:
- Configure
log_statementcarefully - Avoid logging sensitive queries
- Secure log file permissions
- Implement log rotation and retention policies
5. Unencrypted Connections
Description: Data transmitted without encryption can be intercepted.
Risk Level: High
Mitigation:
- Enforce SSL/TLS connections
- Configure
ssl = onin postgresql.conf - Use
hostsslentries in pg_hba.conf - Implement certificate validation
Recent PostgreSQL CVEs
CVE-2024-10979 (PostgreSQL 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, 12.21)
Severity: High
Description: PL/Perl environment variable changes affecting security.
Impact: Affects row security and search path settings in PL/Perl functions.
Mitigation: Upgrade to patched versions.
CVE-2024-10978 (PostgreSQL 17.1, 16.5, 15.9, 14.14, 13.17, 12.21)
Severity: Medium
Description: Role membership authentication bypass.
Impact: Certain role membership checks could be bypassed.
Mitigation: Upgrade to patched versions.
CVE-2024-7348 (PostgreSQL 16.4, 15.8, 14.13, 13.16, 12.20)
Severity: High
Description: Relation replacement during pg_dump execution.
Impact: Could allow attackers to execute arbitrary SQL during backup operations.
Mitigation: Upgrade to patched versions.
CVE-2023-5869 (PostgreSQL 16.1, 15.5, 14.10, 13.13, 12.17)
Severity: High
Description: Buffer overrun in aggregate function management.
Impact: Could lead to crashes or arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation: Upgrade to PostgreSQL 16.1, 15.5, 14.10, 13.13, or 12.17.
CVE-2023-5868 (PostgreSQL 16.1, 15.5, 14.10, 13.13, 12.17)
Severity: Medium
Description: Memory disclosure in certain aggregate functions.
Impact: Sensitive data could be exposed through error messages.
Mitigation: Upgrade to patched versions.
CVE-2023-39417 (PostgreSQL 15.4, 14.9, 13.12, 12.16, 11.21)
Severity: High
Description: Extension script replacement vulnerability.
Impact: Attackers could execute arbitrary SQL during extension installation.
Mitigation: Upgrade to PostgreSQL 15.4, 14.9, 13.12, 12.16, or 11.21.
CVE-2022-41862 (PostgreSQL 15.1, 14.6, 13.9, 12.13, 11.18)
Severity: Medium
Description: Client memory disclosure when using Kerberos authentication.
Impact: Sensitive information could be transmitted to the server.
Mitigation: Upgrade to patched versions.
PostgreSQL Security Issue Categories
Authentication Vulnerabilities
- Weak password hashing: Using MD5 instead of SCRAM-SHA-256
- Misconfigured pg_hba.conf: Allowing trust authentication from untrusted sources
- Missing SSL enforcement: Allowing unencrypted connections
Authorization Vulnerabilities
- Excessive privileges: Users granted unnecessary database permissions
- Missing row-level security: Sensitive data accessible to all authenticated users
- Schema permissions: Public schema writable by all users
Configuration Vulnerabilities
- Default settings: Using insecure default configurations
- Exposed management interfaces: pgAdmin or other tools accessible from internet
- Insufficient logging: Unable to detect security incidents
Data Protection Vulnerabilities
- Unencrypted data at rest: Sensitive data stored without encryption
- Missing backup encryption: Database backups not encrypted
- Inadequate access controls: File system permissions not properly configured
Vulnerability Scanning and Detection
Tools for PostgreSQL Security Scanning
pgAudit
- Provides detailed session and object audit logging
- Helps detect suspicious database activity
- Complies with regulatory requirements
pg_permissions
- Audits database permissions
- Identifies excessive privileges
- Generates permission reports
PostgreSQL Security Scanner
- Automated vulnerability scanning
- Configuration assessment
- Compliance checking
Manual Security Checks
-- Check for users with superuser privileges
SELECT rolname FROM pg_roles WHERE rolsuper = true;
-- Identify databases accessible to PUBLIC
SELECT datname FROM pg_database
WHERE datacl IS NULL OR datacl::text LIKE '%PUBLIC%';
-- List tables without row-level security
SELECT schemaname, tablename
FROM pg_tables
WHERE schemaname NOT IN ('pg_catalog', 'information_schema')
AND tablename NOT IN (
SELECT tablename FROM pg_policies
);
-- Check for weak authentication methods
-- Review pg_hba.conf for 'trust' or 'md5' entries
Vulnerability Management Best Practices
1. Stay Updated
- Subscribe to PostgreSQL security mailing list
- Monitor CVE databases
- Apply security patches promptly
- Test patches in staging before production
2. Regular Security Audits
- Conduct quarterly security assessments
- Review user permissions and roles
- Audit pg_hba.conf configurations
- Analyze database logs for suspicious activity
3. Security Hardening
- Disable unnecessary extensions
- Remove default test databases
- Configure secure SSL/TLS settings
- Implement network segmentation
4. Incident Response Planning
- Document security incident procedures
- Maintain database backups
- Test recovery procedures regularly
- Establish communication protocols
PostgreSQL Security Resources
Official Resources
- PostgreSQL Security Page: https://www.postgresql.org/support/security/
- CVE Database: https://cve.mitre.org/
- National Vulnerability Database: https://nvd.nist.gov/
Security Mailing Lists
- pgsql-announce: Official security announcements
- pgsql-security: Security discussions and best practices
Third-Party Resources
- OWASP Database Security: Database security guidelines
- CIS PostgreSQL Benchmarks: Security configuration standards
- SANS Institute: Database security training and resources
Monitoring for Security Threats
Log Analysis
-- Enable comprehensive logging
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_connections = 'on';
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_disconnections = 'on';
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_duration = 'on';
ALTER SYSTEM SET log_statement = 'ddl';
SELECT pg_reload_conf();
Real-time Monitoring
- Monitor failed authentication attempts
- Track privilege escalation attempts
- Alert on DDL operations
- Monitor for unusual query patterns
Integration with SIEM
- Forward PostgreSQL logs to SIEM platforms
- Correlate database events with network activity
- Implement automated alerting
- Create security dashboards
Compliance Considerations
Regulatory Requirements
- GDPR: Data protection and privacy
- HIPAA: Healthcare data security
- PCI DSS: Payment card industry standards
- SOC 2: Service organization controls
Audit Requirements
- Maintain comprehensive audit trails
- Implement access logging
- Document security policies
- Regular compliance assessments
Related Topics
Further Reading
- PostgreSQL Documentation: Security
- PostgreSQL Wiki: Security Considerations
- OWASP: Database Security Cheat Sheet
